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Edward Hawkins
Edward L. Hawkins, Jr. May 30, 1928 – February 8, 2017 Edward L. Hawkins, Jr. (88) went to be with the Lord on February 8, 2017 in Sun City, AZ. Ed was born on May 30, 1928 in Jersey Shore, PA to the late Edward L. Hawkins, Sr. and Ruth Elizabeth Hawkins. Ed died from pneumonia and other complications after radiation therapy to treat a debilitating tumor on his spine. Ed is survived by his dear wife of 40 years, Leila (Yohe) Hawkins; his children Fredrick Hawkins, Sandra Hawkins, and Debra (Hawkins) Vencill; step-children Mike Yohe and his wife, Margaret Yohe, Susan (Yohe) Schramm and her husband Stephen Schramm; 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Ed graduated from Jersey Shore High School in 1946. He played drums in the school band and orchestra, and sang tenor in the glee club and operettas. He was three-time class president in his sophomore, junior and senior years. He started a popular dance band in high school and later competed in regional band contests. He shared his love of music throughout his life by singing in church choirs with occasional solo performances. Ed enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1948 and was assigned to communications. He worked with early technologies after WWII through more modern pre-internet technologies in the late 1960s. During his military career, he was stationed in Ohio, South Carolina, Germany, Arizona, Greenland, back to Arizona, Japan, Maryland, Southeast Asia, and back to Maryland, where he retired from the military after 20 years of service. During his military career, he earned several Meritorious Service Commendation Metals and numerous other honors and awards. After the Air Force he lived near Washington, DC and worked for Western Union and Sperry Unisys until he retired from Unisys in the 1980s. In high school he worked at the local hardware store, and always liked the hardware business. After retiring from Unisys, he enjoyed working part time for Duron Paints. He moved to Sun City, Arizona in 1995 to really retire. He was stationed in Arizona twice during his military career and thoroughly enjoyed the southwestern lifestyle. He and Leila loved frequent visits by relatives and friends from back East. Everyone, especially the kids and grandkids, enjoyed their hospitality, playing in the pool, and escaping the weather back East. Ed was active at Dove of the Desert United Methodist Church, 7201 West Beardsley Road, in Glendale, where a memorial service will be held Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 4:00 pm. A luncheon will be served after the service.May 30, 1928 - February 8, 201705/30/192802/08/2017
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