Paul Thurman Hawkins, our dad, was born on March 14, 1924 in Russett, OK, but he called ‘The Divide’ near Sweetwater, TX, his boyhood home. He passed on to be with our mom, Coleen, on March 26, 2017, just 12 days after his 93rd birthday. He was the baby of seven children born to George Washington and Eula Pearl Hawkins. Eula Pearl died during child birth when Paul was just five years old. He and his sister, Laurenette were then raised by his maternal grandparents.
Dad joined the Navy at 18 and served during World War II in the Pacific and European theaters and also during the Philippine Liberation. After being honorably discharged in November, 1946, he set his sights on California and worked various odd jobs along the way.
In 1950, he met a most beautiful lady (his future wife and our mom, Coleen) in one of the local college hangouts in Santa Rosa (a bar!) and from there, a love affair of over 65 years began in spite of his having spilled beer all over her on that first “date”! He started as a construction laborer and eventually built a successful underground construction business which led him to continue operating heavy equipment well into his 80s during his ‘semi-retirement’. They adopted two children, Carl and Chris which led to him (and Mom) being very active in Little League, Pop Warner Football, parades, Bluebirds, volleyball, and numerous sporting events. Later, Mom and Dad enjoyed driving trips and boating on Lake Powell.
He is survived by his sister, Lauranette Mason; his daughter, Chris Hawkins and son-in-law, Rick Davidson; his son, Carl Hawkins and daughter-in-law, Chrystol; and his grandchildren, Scott, Brad and granddaughter-in-law, Sarah.
A memorial service will be held at Santa Rosa Memorial Park, 1900 Franklin Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95404 on Saturday, April 1st at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association.