Gary Alan Hawks, 80, was born March 20, 1946, in Gaston County, North Carolina, and passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. From the beginning, Gary carried himself with a steady kind of wisdom—quietly observant, carefully considered, and grounded in the values that shaped his life and the people he loved.
Gary graduated from Statesville High School in 1964, where he distinguished himself as an all-conference wrestler. He went on to earn a two-year drafting degree from CVTI and later completed a B.A. from Gardner-Webb University—steps that reflected both his work ethic and the thoughtful determination he brought to whatever he set his mind to.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, a chapter of his life that fit naturally with the deep loyalty and faithfulness he showed in every season. A proud American patriot through and through, Gary never shied away from speaking his mind—especially when it came to politics, a topic he loved to debate with conviction and care.
Gary devoted 42 years of his working life to Ingersoll-Rand, retiring in 2009. His long tenure spoke to the kind of steadfast, hard-working commitment that defined him: showing up, doing things the right way, and staying true to his responsibilities and to the people counting on him.
In 1966, Gary married Wanda Louise Hill, and together they built a life rooted in devotion and constancy. His love for his family was not loud or performative—it was dependable, present, and enduring, expressed in the ways he stayed, supported, and stood by those he loved.
Gary’s interests reflected both discipline and joy. He was a die-hard Carolina Tarheel fan and found satisfaction in woodworking and antiquing. He also loved motorcycles and motor cross racing, pursuits that matched his focus and grit. A 3rd degree black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do, Gary shared his skills by teaching self-defense classes, offering others the confidence that comes from preparation and practice. He was also an Eagle Scout, a distinction that echoed the faithful, service-minded principles that remained part of who he was.
Gary will be remembered for his thoughtful presence, his loyal heart, and the steady devotion he gave to his family, his work, and his country. His life leaves a lasting imprint—one made not only by what he did, but by the consistent, principled way he lived.
Gary is survived by his wife, Wanda Louise Hill Hawks of Statesville, North Carolina; daughters Amanda Sharpe (Tracy) and Catherine Hawks (Randy Puda) of Statesville, North Carolina; brother Hugh Thomas Hawks, Jr. of Albemarle, North Carolina; sister Joanne Jarrett of Salisbury, North Carolina; and granddaughters Natalie and Ashleigh.
He was preceded in death by his father, Hugh Thomas Hawks, Sr.; his mother, Alma Mae Ledford Hawks; his brother, William Norman Hawks; and his sister, Joyce Hawks Summers.
The funeral services for Gary are private. Please remember him by making a contribution to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County; 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, North Carolina 28625 or to any Veteran Services Organization.
Messages of sympathy and words of condolences may be shared with the family, online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home of Statesville is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Hawks and his family.
