Arlin James (“Jim”) Hawkins

Arlin James (“Jim”) Hawkins, 75, Yakima, died Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at Landmark Care Center in Yakima. Jim was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 14, 1938 to William and Irene (Secard) Hawkins. He retired from Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA in 2001 after 31 years of distinguished service to the Theatre Arts Department, where he founded the Children's Theatre Touring program and Youth Drama Major. An accomplished theatrical designer and puppeteer, Hawkins has been a guest artist at academic and professional theatres here and abroad including the California Theatre Center, the Tennessee Arts Academy, the Alaskan Theatre for Youth, the Birmingham Arts Center, and the Puppet Center in London. He has won three meritorious awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, and, in 1996, was awarded the Distinguished Professor Award in Public Service from CWU. He has been a member of the performing company of Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center-National Puppetry Conference, and a member of the Board of Directors of UNIMA-USA the International Puppetry Association. Puppets from his private collection have been added to permanent displays at the Atlanta Puppet Center, the Seattle Puppet Center and the Valentinetti Puppet Museum in Bremerton. In 2005 he established the A. James Hawkins Children's Theatre Endowment with the announcement of a generous financial contribution. He is survived by his life partner, Robert Kowalski of Yakima; two daughters, Jennifer White of Seattle and Laurie Doohan of Walla Walla, WA; four grandchildren; a brother William Hawkins of Fresno, CA and two nephews. Visitation will be held at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home on Monday, July 29, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service beginning at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5315 Tieton Drive, Yakima on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. A committal service will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Ellensburg beginning at 1:30 p.m. To celebrate the life of Jim and share memory visit, www.lmfuneralhome.com.