A resident of Covington, Louisiana, since 1979, John C. Hawkins, Sr. was the beloved husband of Lucile (Puddin) Smart Hawkins. He is also survived by his children, Dr. Sarah H. Ross (Dennis), John (Jack) C. Hawkins, Jr. (Diane), and The Rev. Ralph W. Hawkins (Elizabeth); grandchildren, Andrew Ross (Miriam), Ainsley Ross, Michelle Hawkins, John Hawkins III, Lonnie Hawkins, Ella Hawkins; sister, Mary Hawkins, M.D. of Flora, MS; sister-in-law, Lane Smart of Covington; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Pauline Hawkins.
Born in New Orleans on September 26, 1933, he served in the US Army from 1952 to 1954 and took part in the Upshot-Keyhole Atomic Test in Nevada in 1953. After discharge as an E-5, sergeant, he was a member of the American Legion Post 16 in Covington. He graduated with a BSEE from LSU in 1958 and an MAS from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 1975. Employed for over 40 years in the electric utility industry, he retired from Cleco in 1998. He was a registered Professional Electrical Engineer in Louisiana and five other states.
He was ordained as an Elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, AL in 1965 and repeatedly served on the Session of Covington Presbyterian Church. He also served on the Committee on Ministry for the Presbytery of South Louisiana for five years and acted as Commissioner to the General Assemblies of 1977 and 2002. In 2004 he was Lay Supply Pastor at the 3rd Presbyterian Church, New Orleans. He also served at various times as Moderator of the Sessions at Carrollton, Berean, and Gentilly Presbyterian Churches in New Orleans and 1st Presbyterian Church in Ponchatoula.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral services on Friday, October 2, 2009 at 11:00 AM from at Covington Presbyterian Church, 222 Jefferson Ave., Covington, LA 70433; visitation AT THE CHURCH will begin at 9:00 AM on Friday.
Graveside services with Military Honors will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens.
The family would prefer donations to Covington Presbyterian Church.
