December 8, 1943 – January 25, 2023
James Robert (Jim) Hankins, Jr, passed away at his home in Phoenix Wednesday January 25, 2023. Jim was born to James Robert (Bob) Hankins and Florence Irene (Rusher) in Humboldt, Iowa on December 8, 1943.
After graduating from Humboldt High School in 1962 he went on to study at Iowa State University in Ames. Jim joined the Marine Corps in December 1963, achieved the rank of E-5, and was honorably discharged in November 1967. His duty stations included Quantico, Virginia and Honolulu, Hawaii.
Jim married Lynn LaVerne Stafford August 1967 and the marriage ended July 1989. In January 1996 Jim married Sharlene Joan (Daniels) Lawson.
Jim studied at the University of Hawaii and Arizona State University and began his lifelong career as an architect in the late sixties employed by Roadway Inns. In 1974 Jim opened this own office, James R. Hankins, and Associates and that business thrives to the present day.
Inspired by his father, Jim took up glider flying at the Estrella Sailport earning his pilot’s license in 1976. Joe Lincoln, a very accomplished record holding sailplane pilot and Jim trained for a year in preparation for a record dual long distance flight. The fruits of their many hours spent in training were never realized because of Joe’s early death.
For many years Jim and Sharlene made their home in north Phoenix and enjoyed riding and training horses, dogs as well as hiking.
Jim was well known for his offbeat sense of humor. He could always be counted on for bad Dad jokes, bad Grandpa jokes and a variety of pranks. His penmanship was atrocious. It’s a wonder that his many greeting cards were ever delivered to the correct address.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Florence Hankins and is survived by his wife Sharlene Joan (Lawson) Hankins, his first wife Lynn (Stafford) Leinhart, son James Robert (Jim) Hankins III (JoAnne Chiarelllo) and daughter Susan Ann Wilson (Joe), brother Rick Hankins (Linda), sister Jullie Ann Boggs, and brother Tom Hankins (P.J.), four grandchildren Joshua, Tyler, Brennon, and Abigayle as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Funeral services will be held February 16, 2023, at 12:00 pm at North Valley Baptist Church, 2109 E. Rose Garden Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85024.
A military burial will follow a 2:00 pm at the (VA) National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024
The funeral services are in the care of Shadow Mountain Mortuary, www.ShadowMountainMortuary.com
In lieu of giving flowers, the family asks that donations are made to:
• Home – Semper Fi & America’s Fund, thefund.org
or
• Home – Fisher House Foundation, fisherhouse.org
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