Share Jim Hawkins's obituary with others.
Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
Stay updated
We'll notify you when service details or new memories are added.
You're now following this obituary
We'll email you when there are updates.
Select your format and elements to print
IN LOVING MEMORY OF Jim Hawkins
Jim
Hawkins
Aug 19, 1931 — Dec 25, 2015
Jim Hawkins' Obituary
James Herbert (Jim) Hawkins, 84, fondly recognized as "my principal" by the students of Vineland Elementary School in DeSoto, Missouri, from 1977-1992, passed away Christmas morning, 2015, surrounded by family, at his home in Springfield, MO.
He was born to Herbert and Zilpah Davis Hawkins on August 19, 1931, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The first born of four children, he was the founding member of the 4 J''s -- Jim, Julia, Joe and Jean.
Always attracted to the outdoors and adventure, after graduating from Piggott High School, Piggott, Arkansas, in 1949, he hitch hiked to Idaho to work in forest conservation.
Upon his return from this first of many adventures, he was married to his high school sweetheart, JoAnn Morris, on December 30, 1950, a love story that spanned 64 years and 360 days.
Jim enlisted in the Army in 1949 and was promoted through the ranks to Master Sergeant.
He graduated from University of Arkansas in 1955 with a degree in Entomology. He later began working for the Texas A&M as an extension entomologist, a job that took him to every county in the state.
Later, Jim and JoAnn, with their three children: Michael, Byron and Shannon, returned to Arkansas, where Jim finished a masters degree in elementary education and began first as a sixth grade teacher in Corning, Arkansas, and later an elementary principal in DeSoto, MO. While in Corning, Kenny Sisson joined our family. Jim and JoAnn have eight grandchildren and seven great-grand children.
Jim used his summer breaks to motorcycle across the west, raft the Colorado River, hike the Appalachian Trail, and canoe the waters of his beloved Current River. For his 75th birthday, he made his first parachute jump.
Memorial services, with Landon Saunders officiating, will be Tuesday, December 29, at 2 p.m., at East Sunshine Church of Christ, 3721 E. Sunshine St., in Springfield MO.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to Project Well-Being, a non-profit organization that helps poor women start businesses and lift themselves from poverty. A link for donating to this good cause can be found at www.jimhawkinsmemorial.com
He was born to Herbert and Zilpah Davis Hawkins on August 19, 1931, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The first born of four children, he was the founding member of the 4 J''s -- Jim, Julia, Joe and Jean.
Always attracted to the outdoors and adventure, after graduating from Piggott High School, Piggott, Arkansas, in 1949, he hitch hiked to Idaho to work in forest conservation.
Upon his return from this first of many adventures, he was married to his high school sweetheart, JoAnn Morris, on December 30, 1950, a love story that spanned 64 years and 360 days.
Jim enlisted in the Army in 1949 and was promoted through the ranks to Master Sergeant.
He graduated from University of Arkansas in 1955 with a degree in Entomology. He later began working for the Texas A&M as an extension entomologist, a job that took him to every county in the state.
Later, Jim and JoAnn, with their three children: Michael, Byron and Shannon, returned to Arkansas, where Jim finished a masters degree in elementary education and began first as a sixth grade teacher in Corning, Arkansas, and later an elementary principal in DeSoto, MO. While in Corning, Kenny Sisson joined our family. Jim and JoAnn have eight grandchildren and seven great-grand children.
Jim used his summer breaks to motorcycle across the west, raft the Colorado River, hike the Appalachian Trail, and canoe the waters of his beloved Current River. For his 75th birthday, he made his first parachute jump.
Memorial services, with Landon Saunders officiating, will be Tuesday, December 29, at 2 p.m., at East Sunshine Church of Christ, 3721 E. Sunshine St., in Springfield MO.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to Project Well-Being, a non-profit organization that helps poor women start businesses and lift themselves from poverty. A link for donating to this good cause can be found at www.jimhawkinsmemorial.com
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
Funeral Services for Jim Hawkins
Jim Hawkins' Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors