James Kennedy Hawkins, 48, passed away suddenly in his home, Friday, June 1, 2018 in Iowa Park. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 8, at the Oasis of Grace in Graham, 622 Cherry Street. Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.
James Kennedy was born in Olney, to L.V. and Darlene Sadler Hawkins. While in Graham he was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church. He graduated from Graham High School in 1987, then went to Midwestern State University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business.
While at MSU, he met Joanne Reyna, again, and they were married May 10, 1991 in Wichita Falls. They had two children, Jayla Renae Hawkins and Jacob Joseph Hawkins. They built their home in between Iowa Park and Valley View where they trained quarter horses on their Wedded J Ranch.
James Hawkins was hired by the Wichita Falls Fire Department as a recruit on Aug. 27, 2003. James graduated the Fire Academy Feb. 11, 2004, and was promoted to the rank of Firefighter. He was promoted from that rank to Fire Equipment Operator on Oct. 18, 2014.
He was an avid outdoorsman. Hunting and fishing had always been his passions and he loved his family and friends deeply.
Survivors include his wife, Joanne Hawkins of Iowa Park; daughter, Jayla Hawkins of Denton; son, Jacob Hawkins of Iowa Park; parents, L.V. and Darlene Hawkins of Graham; sister, Felicia Hawkins of St. Joseph, Mo., and host of many family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his brothers, Roosevelt and L.V. Hawkins; and grandparents, McKinney and Josephine Sadler of Graham.
Visitation will be held at Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home in Graham.
A scholarship has been created at the Wichita Falls Federal Teacher’s Credit Union in Wichita Falls, the James Hawkins Memorial Scholarship Fund. Those wishing to donate in lieu of flowers are asked to donate to the scholarship fund.