In Memory

Joe Hawkins (Coach)

Joe Shep Hawkins, 81, passed away March 8, 2011, at his daughter's home surrounded by family and friends in St Augustine, Florida. He was born Oct 6, 1929, in Cameron to Joe Bell Hawkins and Stella Price Hawkins, the middle child of 3 children. He was a direct descendant to the Turnham family who migrated to Milam County in the 1830s with their relatives the Shapley P. Ross family best known for its famed son Lawrence Sullivan (Sul) Ross, Texas Ranger, governor of Texas, CSA General, and president of Texas A&M University. Joe grew up in Cameron attending C. H. Yoe High School and participating in high school sports, football and track. He attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College in san Marcos on athletic scholarships for football and track. His athletic abilities in the High Hurdles led to many road trips to State/Regional meets where he performed at the highest level. His experiences with coaches both in high school and college developed a desire to become a teacher and coach as a career. He served in the U.S. Marines upon graduation from college in the late 1940s -early 1950s. Here he accomplished his greatest athletic feat - attending the Olympic Trials as a High Hurdler, reaching the finals where an injury derailed an Olympic trip as a hurdler. After discharge, he entered a long and successful career in Education, his positive influence touched many lives as a Teacher, Coach, Athletic Director and Dean of Boys - retiring in 1993. Joe is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie S. Hawkins who he married on March 27, 1986. In addition he is survived by two sisters - Ruth Lima and Dolores Pavelic, three children and two step children and their spouses - Joe Wayne and Michelle Hawkins, Cheryl Janine and James McGuire, Sue Cloaninger, Suzanne Rapadas and Melanie Keaton. Joe's extended family includes Twelve (12) Grand Children & Spouses and Three (3) Great Grand Children. Joe epitomized the Marines motto "Semper Fidelis" - always faithful, living it his whole life as a dedicated family man, enthusiastic football coach and devoted child of Christ. Funeral Service will be Saturday, March 12, 2011 located at Hardage-Giddens Town and Country Funeral. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Burial will follow to Riverside Memorial Park in Jacksonville, Florida. Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Hardage-Giddens Town and Country Funeral Home 7242 Normandy Blvd Jacksonville, Fl. 32205.



 
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03/13/21 08:16 AM #1    

Thomas Craig [Tom] Stallworth

Coach Hawkins was a great man.  He coached me in high hurdles for three years.  He spent many hours encouraging me both as an athlete and as a person. He cared about his teams and each individual team member.


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