Donald Hawkins

Donald (Hawk) Hawkins, 83, passed away Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, surrounded by his family at his home in Thermopolis after a decade of declining health.

He was born Nov. 12, 1932, in Trenton, Neb. to Ross and Josephine (Berger) Hawkins. Following graduation from there, Hawk served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1952-1956 and was discharged from the Air Force Reserve in 1959..

He worked for a short period of time for Western Electric before moving to Thermopolis in 1958 where he spent the rest of his career working as a central office specialist for the telephone company. Hawk married Betty Pomeroy on May 15, 1964. They devoted their lives to raising their two children. Summers were spent camping and traveling with relatives. Hawk served on the Wild Cat Band Board while their kids were active in the group and spent many hours cooking at fundraisers to help send the band to their many competitions. He also enjoyed serving as chaperone at 4-H camp when the kids were younger.

Hawk was a lifetime member of VFW Post #2281 in which he was very active behind the scenes. He loved animals, feeding the deer and birds and watching the buffalo. His biggest enjoyment in later years was spending time with his grandchildren.

Hawk is survived by his spouse; daughter, Julie (Tony Nettles) Lehman of Thermopolis; son, Ross Hawkins of Marysville, Wash.; three grandchildren, US Army Specialist Daniel Lehman, Katlyn Lehman and Skylar Hawkins; one brother Duke (Jean) Hawkins of Melbourne, Fla.; three sisters, Delores (Wayne) Porter, of South Sioux City, Neb., Detta (Tom) Chapman of Ashland, Neb., Dottie (Jeff) Hoffman of Nixa, Mo. and numerous nieces and nephews, all of who he was fond of.  

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Trina.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan, 13 at Community Federated Church followed by graveside military services at Monument Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers included Dan Lehman, Tony Nettles, Liam Kautz, Jim Larson, Gordon Reed and John Gerrells, with honorary pallbearers John Hausauer, Ed Hausauer, Pete Cavalli and Carl Turnbaugh.