Hugh Morris Hawkins Jr.

Our beloved Hugh Morris Hawkins Jr., age 88, born on October 28, 1936, in Charlottesville, VA, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2025 in Cumberland, MD where he was staying near family. He was a devoted husband, father, and Gran Gran. He believed in a gentleman's handshake, personified integrity, was ever supportive to his family, and possessed a wonderful, quirky sense of humor. His absence in this world will be profound.

He was the son of the late Hugh Morris Hawkins Sr. and Dorothy Tarleton Hawkins. He was preceded in death by his daughter Susan Hawkins Cain, sister Dorothy "Dot" Hawkins Tarleton, his maternal grandparents, Rev. Robert Miller Tarleton and Julia Armour Tarleton, and paternal grandparents, Hugh Russell Hawkins and Mae Morris Gleason Hawkins.

Hugh was a lifelong son of Charlottesville, VA who deeply loved his community. Growing up during World War II, he lived with his grandparents while his dad served in the Pacific. He accompanied his grandfather, a Presbyterian minister, on circuit ministries throughout central Virginia, learning the values of compassion and service, while gaining an appreciation for the countryside. Similarly, he often visited his great-grandfather's feed and farm supply store, H. M. Gleason Co., with his grandmother and enjoyed the colorful gardens she established.

As a young man he worked alongside his family in their historic dry goods store in downtown Charlottesville, Hawkins Bros. & Company. He then began his career with the C&O Railroad—he was passionate about trains and had an extensive model train collection. He was also an accomplished pianist and entertained his family with robust renditions of popular tunes, and bluesy versions of family favorites.

After serving a number of years with the railroad and US Postal Service, he worked in the Food and Hospitality Industry, primarily in a purchasing capacity, at establishments such as the Boar's Head Inn, Windmill Point Marina, and The Tides Inn, among others.

Hugh attended Davidson College in North Carolina and the University of Virginia. He was an enthusiastic and lifelong fan of UVA sports.

His appreciation for the countryside and the natural world continued throughout his life. He was always enthusiastic about taking "little adventures", from back roads to beaches to joyrides along the Skyline Drive.

He delighted in the success and love of his daughters, was immensely proud of his five grandkids, and savored the energy of his great-grandchildren. He enjoyed the playfulness of gifting stuffed animals and animated creatures to his kids and cared deeply for family pets.

Hugh was often the behind the scenes guy, supporting others—many not aware of how much he did. He showed up. He was there. He was one of a kind and will be missed dearly.

Hugh is survived by his wife of 62 years, Deborah Spear Hawkins, daughter Kimberley Hawkins Greist (Darton), five grandchildren, Darton IV, Megan, Ethan, Ellie, and Kevin, and three young great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends in the Parish Hall prior to the funeral services from 10:00-11:00am on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at Church of Our Saviour, 1165 E Rio Rd in Charlottesville. Funeral services will begin at 11:00am in the Sanctuary. Burial will follow at the family’s site in Monticello Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA in his honor.