Mr. Raymon Louis Hawkins

Raymon L. Hawkins passed from this earth on the morning of September 21, 2015 at the age of 87. Ray, as he was known to most of his friends and family, was born in Bryan, Texas on January 1, 1928. He was the first baby born at the hospital in the New Year and as a result his proud parents Earl and Mary Hawkins received the usual fanfare and gifts. He attended Bryan High School and entered the Navy at the young age of 17. He served in the Navy aboad the aircraft carrier the USS Kersage during World War II. He returned home to Dallas where his family had relocated with an honorable discharge in 1948. During that year he met and courted his future wife Ann. They were married in May, 1949, and through the up and downs, enjoyed sixty-four years of marriage. They settled down in Irving where Ray went to work at Bell Helicopter, after applying for the job three separate times. He had taken a job at another aircraft company, but really wanted the job at Bell, so every time they advertised for machinists he reapplied. The interviewer asked him why he kept coming back for the job, and he said “because I’m the best machinist around and you need me.” He was hired that day. He worked for Bell Helicopter for twenty-five years and retired from there in 1993. While living in Irving Ray went through and successfully completed the Irving Police Reserve Training Academy, and in 1972 he became a reserve police officer for the Irving Police Department. He enjoyed being involved in law enforcement and after additional training he became a Dallas County Deputy Constable. He was most proud of his achievement, and made sure anyone who knew him well, knew that he carried a badge. In 1971 Ray finally realized the dream of owning a farm. He and Ann purchased land in Kemp,Texas and started building towards their future retirement. Raymon Hawkins lived a rich and full life and he will be missed by all who loved him.

He is preceded in death by his wife Ann Hawkins, his twin daughters, Carolyn Ann and Marilyn Ray, and his sister Beth Honea.

He is survived by his children Sherry Carroll of Plano, Tempest Standfield and her husband T.W. of Kemp, Danny Hawkins and his wife Janet of Kemp; his seven grandchildren, Stacy, Jodye, Alan, Adam, Jimmy, Anna, Lauren and Timothy; his six great-grandchildren Nicholas, Choley, Gabriel, Rose, Wyatt and Joshua.