Carter Zachary Hawkins

Zak spent his early childhood growing up in Washington, Indiana and moved to Bloomington when he was 10. He had no trouble making new friends, many of whom are still his friends today. He cherished these deep friendships which he cultivated all over the world. He never hesitated to let people know how much he loved them. A free-spirit, forever young-at-heart, Zak embraced life to the fullest, prioritizing experiences over material wealth. He approached the world with a joyful curiosity and a sense of adventure.

Zak lived in Oregon before moving to Kauai where he resided for almost 20 years. Kauai held a really special place in his heart. He loved telling surf stories and was so grateful for the time he got to spend surfing with his Kauai family. He recently returned to Bloomington to be with his girlfriend and become a cowboy.

Zak was an artist and a creative soul, expressing himself through many mediums and creative endeavors. He often gifted his art and would give hand made presents to his family for special occasions or just because. He even built his own mini-golf course, showcasing his playful ingenuity.

He was so funny. He loved making people laugh and you could always find Zak by listening for the loudest laughter.

Zak's biggest heartbreak in life happened when he tragically lost his infant son Joshoya, who passed in his arms at just 5 days old. He was always so uplifted by those that continued to call with kind words on Father’s Day.

Zak loved all things sports. He loved playing soccer and shared that passion with his Kauai nieces, teaching them to play and coaching their teams - something he cherished deeply. He was a lifelong IU fan, always showing up for games fully geared up in candy stripe pants or his prized Isiah Thomas jersey. He was “IU’s biggest cheerleader” as his Dad lovingly called him, always ready to root on the Hoosiers.

Zak loved all animals and affectionately referred to them as his "marmots." Zak had a magical way of connecting with all people, of all ages and loved his Grandparents immensely. He’ll be so happy to be with his Grammy and Papaw again.

Zak is survived by his mother, Cate Hyatt; his father, Ron Hawkins; his brothers, Colin and Shelby; his sisters, Renee and Shannon; his nieces, Inana, Ona, Charlotte, Lexi, Scarlett, Molly and Sophie; his grandmother, Phyllis Hart; his girlfriend, Genna Dick and a truly incredible family of friends.

A celebration of Zak's life will be held on Saturday, October 4th, at 5:00 PM at Kealia Beach. The grill will be fired up and sides will be potluck style. A memorial will be held around 7:00 PM, followed by a bonfire and dance party. Please bring your favorite Zak stories and pictures to share.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Zak's name to the Kauai Humane Society.