Our American Family - Person Sheet
Our American Family - Person Sheet
NameJohn Leach HAWKINS 
Birth Date21 Jun 1942
Birth PlaceRotan, Fisher County, Texas
Death Date20 Dec 2018 Age: 76
Death PlaceMidland, Midland County, Texas
Burial PlaceMidland, Midland County, Texas, Resthaven Memorial Park
Spouses
Birth Date26 Apr 1947
Birth PlaceSeminole, Gaines County, Texas
Death Date1 Dec 2018 Age: 71
Death PlaceMidland, Midland County, Texas
Burial PlaceMidland, Midland County, Texas, Resthaven Memorial Park
FatherRoyce Walton BERRY (1924-1990)
MotherMary Ola BATTON (1926-2009)
Family ID9525
Marr Date9 Sep 1967
ChildrenHolly Kathleen (1973-2021)
Notes for John Leach HAWKINS
From John's brother, Tim:
"The John Leach Hawkins I knew was unique to each person he knew. He would put his black motorcycle on a chair so his little brother could play Zorro, and believed in family above all. He would fight at the drop of a hat when he was young. The day after he graduated high school, he begged his mother to take him to the highway out of town so that there would be more for his little brother and sister. Then he went to Vietnam when in his late 20's, hoping his little brother would not have to go.
He would slip me a $20 when I was out on a date, just to make sure I had plenty of money. John was not a talking person, so when I had turned legal drinking age, he saw my car at a bar, and stopped to tell me 2 things: 1st (being in a bar) "You didn't lose anything in here and sure won't find anything in here:" and 2nd "to listen to everyone's advice, but only take what you can use." That was the only advice he ever gave me" and the memories go on forever.
Today they set another place at God's table for John. He was my guardian, example of a good man, my friend and by God's grace, I knew him as my brother. You are in God's hands, no safer place to rest."
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John Leach Hawkins
June 21, 1942 - December 20, 2018
John Leach Hawkins, 76, of Midland passed away on December 20, 2018. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 27, 2018, at Mid-Cities Community Church-Neely Campus, 3309 Neely, in Midland. Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park, Midland, Texas.
John was born on June 21, 1942 in Rotan Texas to Fredrick and Chrystelle Hawkins. Always a fearless risk-taker, after graduating from Sweetwater High School, he had his mother drive him to the edge of town and drop him by the highway so he could begin his new life. He made his way to Midland where he found employment with Mobil Pipeline and worked for them for over 30 years. Mobil sent him to New Mexico, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Nigeria, Holland and even Spain.
His career was interrupted only by his time serving his country as an Army Electrician with the 507th Engineering Detachment in Vietnam during which time he earned several decorations and medals including one for Sharpshooter.
Upon returning home, he happened upon the love of his life, Jerry Ruethel Berry, of Seminole, Texas, to whom he was married for over 51 years. Their bond so great, he survived her by only 19 days.
John didn’t have a lot to say but when he spoke, it was either riddled with dark humor or unconventional wisdom. The family’s favorite “Dad-ism:” Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, intelligence is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.”
John is preceded in death by his wife, Jerry; his parents Fred and Chrystelle Hawkins of Rotan, Texas; and his younger sister, Lynda Kenner, also of Rotan.
John is survived by oldest daughter, Kelly, and her husband, Ben Ferguson, daughter, Holly Lazzari, son, Juston Hawkins, and daughter, Jaime, and her husband, Tommy Cole, all of Midland. Also surviving John are his brothers, David Hawkins, and wife, Minnie, Tim Hawkins and wife, Pam, as well as his brother in law, David Berry, and wife, Lucy. John was known as "GrandJohn" to his six grandchildren: Montgomery and Cayden Light of Midland, Case Martin and Jayden Lazzari of Oklahoma and Brody and Reagan Cole of Midland. John also has several beloved nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the kind condolences, meals, prayers and all the shared memories that made us laugh and cry.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Midland.
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On Find A Grave.
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"The John Leach Hawkins I knew was unique to each person he knew. He would put his black motorcycle on a chair so his little brother could play Zorro, and believed in family above all. He would fight at the drop of a hat when he was young. The day after he graduated high school, he begged his mother to take him to the highway out of town so that there would be more for his little brother and sister. Then he went to Vietnam when in his late 20's, hoping his little brother would not have to go.
He would slip me a $20 when I was out on a date, just to make sure I had plenty of money. John was not a talking person, so when I had turned legal drinking age, he saw my car at a bar, and stopped to tell me 2 things: 1st (being in a bar) "You didn't lose anything in here and sure won't find anything in here:" and 2nd "to listen to everyone's advice, but only take what you can use." That was the only advice he ever gave me" and the memories go on forever.
Today they set another place at God's table for John. He was my guardian, example of a good man, my friend and by God's grace, I knew him as my brother. You are in God's hands, no safer place to rest."
***********************
John Leach Hawkins
June 21, 1942 - December 20, 2018
John Leach Hawkins, 76, of Midland passed away on December 20, 2018. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 27, 2018, at Mid-Cities Community Church-Neely Campus, 3309 Neely, in Midland. Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park, Midland, Texas.
John was born on June 21, 1942 in Rotan Texas to Fredrick and Chrystelle Hawkins. Always a fearless risk-taker, after graduating from Sweetwater High School, he had his mother drive him to the edge of town and drop him by the highway so he could begin his new life. He made his way to Midland where he found employment with Mobil Pipeline and worked for them for over 30 years. Mobil sent him to New Mexico, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Nigeria, Holland and even Spain.
His career was interrupted only by his time serving his country as an Army Electrician with the 507th Engineering Detachment in Vietnam during which time he earned several decorations and medals including one for Sharpshooter.
Upon returning home, he happened upon the love of his life, Jerry Ruethel Berry, of Seminole, Texas, to whom he was married for over 51 years. Their bond so great, he survived her by only 19 days.
John didn’t have a lot to say but when he spoke, it was either riddled with dark humor or unconventional wisdom. The family’s favorite “Dad-ism:” Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, intelligence is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.”
John is preceded in death by his wife, Jerry; his parents Fred and Chrystelle Hawkins of Rotan, Texas; and his younger sister, Lynda Kenner, also of Rotan.
John is survived by oldest daughter, Kelly, and her husband, Ben Ferguson, daughter, Holly Lazzari, son, Juston Hawkins, and daughter, Jaime, and her husband, Tommy Cole, all of Midland. Also surviving John are his brothers, David Hawkins, and wife, Minnie, Tim Hawkins and wife, Pam, as well as his brother in law, David Berry, and wife, Lucy. John was known as "GrandJohn" to his six grandchildren: Montgomery and Cayden Light of Midland, Case Martin and Jayden Lazzari of Oklahoma and Brody and Reagan Cole of Midland. John also has several beloved nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the kind condolences, meals, prayers and all the shared memories that made us laugh and cry.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Midland.
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On Find A Grave.
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Notes for Jerry Ruethel (Spouse 1)
Holly Hawkins Lazzari of Midland, Texas joined our Heavenly Father on Sunday, February 14, 2021 at the age of 47.
Holly was born in Sweetwater, Texas on July 30, 1973, but called Midland home for much of her life.
After graduating from Midland High School, Holly attended Texas Tech University where she received a BBA Finance.
Through a career with several oil companies, Holly spent some time in Houston and many years in Edmond, OK, ultimately returning to Midland to become the JIB Supervisor for Legacy Reserves.
Growing up in Midland, Holly made many friends through her years of softball, orchestra, cheerleading and school. She never met a stranger and often ran into someone she knew everywhere she went. She had a ready smile and a kind heart. Ever the champion of underdogs, Holly would often quietly contribute to those in need and felt their sorrow as if it were her own. And if she thought of you as a friend, you had a warrior on your side for life.
If you knew Holly, you knew how much she loved her family. Her bond with her siblings was more than blood: it was a tight friendship. She would be the first to call one of them out but vehemently defend them if someone outside the family spoke unkindly. She would give a nudge when you needed pushing and be your loudest cheerleader. She loved to cook for others and often prepared a surprise meal when one of her siblings needed a little TLC.
But most of all, Holly loved being a mom. Her children were the crown jewels in her life. Whether it was driving hundreds of miles to watch her son play in baseball tournaments or driving down the street for an impromptu ice cream date with her daughter, Holly was never happier than when she was with her kids. She was quite proud of their collegiate achievements: Case is to graduate from Oklahoma State University in May with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Jayden is currently attending Rogers State University on a track scholarship.
Holly is survived by her son, Case Martin and his girlfriend Katy Tettleton of Stillwater, OK, daughter Jayden Lazzari of Edmund, OK, sister Kelly Ferguson and husband Ben of Midland, brother Juston Hawkins of Midland, sister Jaime Cole and husband Tommy of Midland, nephews Montgomery Light, Cayden Light, Brody Cole and niece Reagan Cole.
Holly was preceded in death by her parents, John and Jerry Hawkins.
The family will receive friends on Monday, February 22, 2021 from 5:00-7:00pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at Mid Cities Church, Neely Campus followed by interment at Resthaven Memorial Park.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.
From Find A Grave.
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Holly was born in Sweetwater, Texas on July 30, 1973, but called Midland home for much of her life.
After graduating from Midland High School, Holly attended Texas Tech University where she received a BBA Finance.
Through a career with several oil companies, Holly spent some time in Houston and many years in Edmond, OK, ultimately returning to Midland to become the JIB Supervisor for Legacy Reserves.
Growing up in Midland, Holly made many friends through her years of softball, orchestra, cheerleading and school. She never met a stranger and often ran into someone she knew everywhere she went. She had a ready smile and a kind heart. Ever the champion of underdogs, Holly would often quietly contribute to those in need and felt their sorrow as if it were her own. And if she thought of you as a friend, you had a warrior on your side for life.
If you knew Holly, you knew how much she loved her family. Her bond with her siblings was more than blood: it was a tight friendship. She would be the first to call one of them out but vehemently defend them if someone outside the family spoke unkindly. She would give a nudge when you needed pushing and be your loudest cheerleader. She loved to cook for others and often prepared a surprise meal when one of her siblings needed a little TLC.
But most of all, Holly loved being a mom. Her children were the crown jewels in her life. Whether it was driving hundreds of miles to watch her son play in baseball tournaments or driving down the street for an impromptu ice cream date with her daughter, Holly was never happier than when she was with her kids. She was quite proud of their collegiate achievements: Case is to graduate from Oklahoma State University in May with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Jayden is currently attending Rogers State University on a track scholarship.
Holly is survived by her son, Case Martin and his girlfriend Katy Tettleton of Stillwater, OK, daughter Jayden Lazzari of Edmund, OK, sister Kelly Ferguson and husband Ben of Midland, brother Juston Hawkins of Midland, sister Jaime Cole and husband Tommy of Midland, nephews Montgomery Light, Cayden Light, Brody Cole and niece Reagan Cole.
Holly was preceded in death by her parents, John and Jerry Hawkins.
The family will receive friends on Monday, February 22, 2021 from 5:00-7:00pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at Mid Cities Church, Neely Campus followed by interment at Resthaven Memorial Park.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.
From Find A Grave.
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