Duane G. Hopkins, age 52, of New Hudson, MI, passed away unexpectedly on March 16, 2026.
Duane was born on August 19, 1973, in Ann Arbor, MI, the son of Hurschel and Linda (Tobias) Hopkins. He had lived in the South Lyon area for the past 25 years, but grew up in Manchester, MI. He graduated from Manchester High School in 1991. He earned his master's degree from Eastern Michigan University in Information Assurance.
Duane worked as a cyber security professional and educator and served as an adjunct professor at Lawrence Technological University and Eastern Michigan University. Most recently he worked as the head of cyber security at Carhartt. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing. He also coached baseball for 15 years in the Wixom/Novi area. He was a beloved University of Michigan football fan and loved to golf.
Duane was best known for his leadership and seeing the potential in others. As a leader and coach in the business world and sports, he worked with many others to help them see their full potential in themselves, projects, forward thinking, and was always good for guidance and advice. He had a big heart, calm nature, a great sense of humor, and could talk to anybody. His family meant the world to him, and he meant everything to them.
On July 8, 2000, he married his high school sweetheart, Marci J. (Sloat) in Ann Arbor, MI. They enjoyed over 25 years of marriage and raised their three children, Owen, Lauren, and Brayden in South Lyon. Also surviving are his father and step-mother, Hurschel (Linda) Hopkins of Manchester; mother, Linda Hopkins of Manchester; sister, Carmen (Steve) Halliwill of Tecumseh; step-sister, Amy (John) Kempher, step-brother, Chris Maitland (Shelly); mother-in-law, Diana Sloat; sisters-in-law, Lisa (Pat) Ridenour, and Shannon (Matt) Romanoski; and brother-in-law, Jamie Sloat; as well as several nieces and nephews. He loved his English Bulldogs, Lexie, Mac and Coco. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, James Sloat; and his beloved Labs, Riley, and Murphy.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., at the Manchester United Methodist Church with Chaplain Tina Zimmerman officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Manchester United Methodist Church 501 Ann Arbor St. Manchester, MI 48158
Memorial contributions may be made to Marci Hopkins and will be used towards an education fund for their children.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
