James Donovan Hawfield Jr.

James Donovan Hawfield, Jr., of Raleigh, died Saturday, October 5, 2013, at the home of his elder daughter in Chapel Hill after an illness of several months. His daughters and other members of his family were with him when he died. He was 74.

Born January 9, 1939, in Charlotte to James D. and Margaret Hall Hawfield, Jim grew up in nearby Pineville. An only child, he was surrounded by a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. He attended Harrison Methodist Church (now United Methodist Church) in Pineville, where he was active in the Methodist Youth Fellowship. He was one of five charter members of Boy Scout Troop 41, founded in 1951, and continued to be active in the troop through high school.

Modest and reserved, his quiet demeanor belied a subtle sense of humor and a keen intellect. Upon graduation from East Mecklenburg High School in 1957, he went to Duke, where he graduated in 1961 with a degree in electrical engineering.

Upon graduation, Jim moved to Lima, Ohio, to work for Westinghouse. While there he designed electrical generators that continue to be used in 747 aircraft. Beginning in the late 1980s, he worked for Carolina Power and Light, retiring several years ago.

It was in Lima that he met the love of his life, Joan Jerwers, whom he married in 1964. They started a family, moved to Raleigh in 1970, and by 1976 they had six lively children. He was a loving father of near-infinite patience. He was scrupulously honest and tried to teach his children to obey the law and do what’s right, even if no one else is watching. Born at the end of the Great Depression, he was famously frugal, clipping coupons and always looking for a bargain, yet generous to those around him. Very handy with a variety of tools, he could build or repair virtually anything and was always ready to lend a hand to whatever project his wife and children had for him.

Not long ago, when asked by one of his grandchildren whether he had any regrets in life, he said no. Asked what gave him the most pleasure in life, he had a one-word reply: grandchildren.

Jim’s wife Joan died in 1994. He is survived by his children and their families: John, of Garner, NC.; Jennifer Selvidge, her husband Bill and their sons Lucas and Shafe, of Chapel Hill; Mark, of Lancaster, SC; Donovan, of Raleigh; Johanna Foster, her husband Matt, and their children Ellis and Margot, of Chapel Hill; and Wesley, his wife Amret, and their daughters Cora and Maeve, of Winston-Salem. He also leaves numerous cousins, who were like brothers and sisters to him; his mother-in-law Geneva Jerwers; and longtime family friend Dot Hendrick.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 12, at 2:00 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, conducted by the Reverend Kerri Hefner. Visitation will precede the funeral, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, for those so desiring, contributions can be made to UNC Hospice in Chapel Hill or the charity of your choice.