John was born February 23, 1940 in New Bern, NC.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Sandy Hawkins, his two children, Dawn Willard (Ronald Willard) and Bo Hawkins (Joy Hawkins), his seven grandchildren, Jake Trottman (Jonathan Trottman), Joseph Hawkins, Samantha Small, Tanner Hawkins, Black Hawkins, Hope Hawkins and Caden Hawkins, and his two great-grandsons Zachary Trottman and Avery Trottman.
John is a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served 21 years in uniform. After retirement he served another 15 years as a civilian in the US Marines as a computer programming analyst. He retired in 1995.
In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” John has done this in so many ways. He fought the good fight; he battled cancer and after being told he had 6-12 months, he fought it out for almost 3 years. He never gave up and continued to smile and make jokes throughout it all. One of his greatest gifts was the ability to make people laugh; no matter the circumstances and no matter if they were a stranger or a best friend, he had a way of making anyone feel special, loved, and laugh. He was a reserved man but still, very much, a man that loved The Lord. Every night, he would walk out the front door, even just for a few minutes, and spend one on one time, praying with God. John always carried a cross in his pocket, a simple reminder of his faith, and, as the cross in his pocket states from Isaiah 41:10, “Do not be afraid, I am with you always.”
A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, August 10 in Lee Funeral Home Chapel.
Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.
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