Kansas City comedian who used humor to help fellow veterans heal trauma dies at 49

Tarik Hopkins grew up believing his superpower was his ability to make a person smile. As a kid, Hopkins used humor to entertain his large family at gatherings. That love of hearing laughter evolved into a career on stage as a stand-up comedian.

His sister, Tamika Hopkins, remembers how her brother could bring happiness to anyone, even on their worst days.

“Even if you were going through a rough time he was the type of person to make you laugh at a funeral,” she said.

Hopkins, who performed comedy under the name “Tai Fu Panda” died May 22 from health complications from ongoing issues with sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that affects the immune system. He was 49.

A Kansas City native and graduate of Raytown High School, Hopkins was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in his early teens, according to his sister. She said he never let his illness slow him down.

Hopkins enlisted in the Army after graduating high school and traveled the world for several years, becoming familiar with martial arts like kung fu and capoeria.

“I will miss not hearing his voice and being able to hear his laugh,” said the younger Hopkins. “He was the person who would always push me to follow my dreams and my heart.”

‘A legend in the comedy scene’

Ten years ago, when Janell Banks was just starting out her career as a stand up comic, getting on stage was hard for her. Hopkins made it easier.

Though he was also just starting out, Hopkins was able to help Banks find the courage she needed to step in front of people and be unapologetically hilarious.

“He taught me confidence and never be afraid to be funny,” said Banks. “He was a very helpful person and supported a lot of comics on their journeys.”

Though many people close to Hopkins knew about his health condition, he never let his health prevent him from getting on stage.

“Even though he faced his health problems he believed in living life to the fullest and I never saw him miss a show because he wasn’t feeling well,” Banks said.

Those who had the honor to know Hopkins will remember him as a part of the connective tissue that made up the KC comedy community. Never limiting himself to one group of people or certain types of venues, Hopkins was known to show up at open mics all over the city and loved networking and making connections.

Banks, who recently headlined Kansas City’s first Black comedy festival and is doing shows around the country, credits Hopkins’ support for the success she has had.

“He will be remembered as a legend in the comedy scene here in town,” Banks said. “A lot of people learned a lot from him while he was here, and we will all miss that person who brought us all together.”

Healing with humor

As a veteran, Hopkins had wanted to combine his love of comedy and supporting veterans, especially those affected by post traumatic stress disorder. He met William Clifton who started a comedy group called the Veterans of Comedy that performed at events put on by the Department of Veteran Affairs or the American Legion.

“Essentally we wanted to heal others while healing ourselves, because there is a certain amount of vulnerability that comes with getting on stage and exposing yourself,” Clifton said of the group.

Hopkins joined the group in 2016, and Clifton said the two became best friends.

“He was one of the funniest people I knew,” said Clifton. “He was naturally funny, I will miss watching that guy step on stage, win the crowd over and the laughter he inspired.”

Vernon “Longhorn” Davis, another member of the Veterans of Comedy, said the Kansas City comedy scene has lost one of its most important figures. First meeting Hopkins over a decade ago at an open mic, the two bonded over their military service. As the years went on they continued to perform alongside each other.

“He was a great guy and a great comic,” said Davis. “He was really outgoing and had a great personality that people loved.”

The last Veterans of Comedy show where the group performed together was on May 4, just a few weeks before Hopkins died. Neither Davis nor Clifton imagined that show would be the last time they got to see their friend do what he loved.

Though uncertain about the future, Clifton said he hopes to continue Veterans of Comics because it’s what Hopkins would want.

Davis said he hopes the comedy community of Kansas City will band together in the spirit of his late friend, supporting comics who may be struggling to find their rhythm in the craft.

Other Remembrances

Mertha Daniels

Mertha Daniels, mother and retired communications worker, died May 16. She was 74.

Daniels was born on Jan. 1, 1949 in Morrilton, Arkansas, to Elliot and Althaline Blackmon.

She and her family moved to Kansas City, Kansas, in 1953, and she graduated from Sumner High School in 1967. Daniels later attended Kansas City, Kansas, Community College, where she received an associate degree in liberal arts.

Daniels married Joseph Daniels on Dec. 20, 1975. The couple had four children together.

She worked for Southwestern Bell (now AT&T) for 30 years in the communication control office.

She is remembered by her children, Deirdre Daniels, Arza Daniels and Lamont Daniels; siblings Prentice Blackmon, Johnique Love, Earl Blackmon and Rev. Janice Blackmon; along with a host of grandchildren, cousins and friends.

Isaac Netters

Isaac Netters, father and retired mechanic, died June 11. He was 84.

Netters was born in Belzoni, Mississippi, on July 16, 1939, to Issac and Vernice Netters.

He moved to Kansas City in 1962, where he began working for Mobile-Teria as a mechanic. He worked for the company for 40 years and retired in 2003 but continued to help friends and family with his mechanical services.

In 1956 Nettles married Leola Wiggins. The couple remained married for the next 45 years until her death.

He is remembered by his children Shirley Baity, Frankie Netters, Dorothy Netters and Debra Thompson; along with a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives and friends.