Herman Lee Hawkins

October 21, 1921 - August 31, 2025

Herman L. Hawkins passed away peacefully on August 31st, 2025 at the age 103. He was born October

21, 1921 to Henry and Myrtle Hawkins in Somerville, Tennessee.

At the age of 19, prior to U.S. involvement in World War II, he joined the Army Air Corps. This

led to a distinguished 30-year career in the United States Air Force rising to the rank of Lt. Col.

During his career he worked in the ICBM missile program, played a key role in the Cuban

Missile Crisis and assisted Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle in preparing his aircraft for the historic raid

on Japan. Along with multiple commendations including Oak Leaf Clusters, Lt. Col. Hawkins

was honored with a Bronze Star for his superior knowledge and use of avionics which saved

many lives.

Herman married Joanne Crawford in August 1944 and soon after had two children, Vicki and

Mike. They shared 66 years of marriage before Joanne’s passing in 2011. Herman is survived

by his brother Bob Hawkins and family; his daughter, Vicki Neverdousky; his son Mike Hawkins

and wife Liz; his grandchildren David Swindler, Sarah Browne, Kate Culbert, Kelley Sharpe,

Chris Hawkins; and his great-grandchildren Stone Browne, Max Browne, Jameson Arehart, and

Louisa Arehart.

Visitation will be September 25th from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 10:30AM on September 26th the

Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery.