James Robert "Jim" Hawkins, 86, of Spring Mill Rd., Concord, died Tuesday, September 16, 2008 in Virginia Baptist Hospital. He was the husband of the late Grace Octavia Smith Hawkins.
Born in Marion, Ohio, September 2, 1922, he was a son of the late George Byron Hawkins and Bertha Caroline Artopoues Hawkins. He was a US Navy veteran of World War II and a retired supervisor for Marion Power Shovel. Jim was a member of Thomas Terrace Baptist Church, the Senior Saints of T. T. B. C., and the Concord Happy Hearts. He was a loving husband and father who can be remembered as one who enjoyed life, always wore a smile and had a kind word to share. His favorite pastime was fishing and being the eternal optimist, he just knew the fish would start biting at any moment.
He is survived by two sons, James William Gunter of Topsail Beach, N.C. and Gary Allen Hawkins and wife, Karen of Marion, OH; two daughters, Maryann Carroll and husband, William of Appomattox and Linda Marie Bish and husband, Ron of Clarksville; three grandchildren, Tammy M. Ferguson and husband, Larry, Jennifer Gunter, and James William Gunter III, and wife, Amy; two great-grandsons, Travis and Eric Ferguson and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Karl, Bill, and George Hawkins; two sisters, Doris Feeley and Lela Brown; and a grandson, Michael Highfill.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 pm, Saturday, September 20, 2008, at Thomas Terrace Baptist Church by the Rev. Mark Grooms. Burial will follow in Liberty Cemetery with military rites accorded by American Legion Post #104 and V.F.W. 8955 Posts combined Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends at Robinson Funeral Home Friday from 7-8:30 pm and other times at the residence.
In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial donations be make to the Concord Fire Department, PO Box 26, Concord, VA 24538, Concord Rescue Squad, PO Box 48, Concord, VA 24538, or Thomas Terrace Baptist Church, PO Box 965, Concord, VA 24538.