Dave Eugene Hawkins

Dave Hawkins, aged 97, of La Mesa died on February 18, 2025 at Sharp Grossmont Hospital after a brief illness. He was born March 10, 1927 in Yakima, WA and adopted by Dave and Anna Hawkins. Dave grew up in Seattle, WA and graduated from Highline Senior High School. Dave enlisted in the US Marine Corps in February 1945. He was not deployed during WW2, but was stationed in China from 1946-1947 where he participated in Operation Beleaguer. Dave was honorably discharged in 1949 and married Betty June Westfall of San Diego, CA. Dave was reactivated by the Marines in 1950. He landed at Inchon and fought in the second Battle of Seoul. Dave returned to San Diego and began working in the brig at the US Naval Station San Diego before ending this second tour of duty in June 1951. He and his wife Betty had a daughter, Lyn, in May 1952. He joined the San Diego Police Department in September 1952, working as a patrolman. Dave and Betty divorced in 1963. He married Dorothy Jane Lawrence in December 1963. They had a son, Lance, in October 1964. Dave retired from the police department in 1977. Shortly thereafter, he started working for the Grossmont Union High School District as a school bus driver. He retired from this job in 1992.

Dave and Dorothy moved to Santee, California in 1970 and lived there for fifty-two years. He enjoyed archery and was active in the Police Olympics. He owned a Piper Tri-Pacer aircraft, which he enjoyed flying out of Gillespie Field and around the skies of East County. He also liked to build model railroads and craft intricate leather art. He was a member of the First Marine Division Association, the China Marine Association, and the Retired Fire and Police Association. He loved animals and actively gave to the San Diego Humane Society as well as many other animal charities. Dave loved to travel to Montana, and made many trips to Whitefish over the years with Dorothy and other family members. Dave is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy; daughter Lyn, her husband Bob, their child Garrett; son Lance, and his wife Melissa.