James Earl Hawthorne

James Earl Hawthorne, Sr. of Pensacola died on October 24, 2020, at the age of 88. Earl was born in Jay, Florida on August 17, 1932, and attended Jay public schools. After graduating from Jay High School, he served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict and earned both a B. S. in Education from Troy State Teachers College and a M. Ed. From Mississippi College. Earl will best be remembered for a life marked by devotion to education in the state of Florida. He moved his family to Northwest Florida in 1964, where he held coaching, teaching, and administrative positions at Century High School, Clubbs Middle School, Brownsville Middle School, and Woodham High School (1968-1972). Earl was the inaugural Principal of Pace High School (1972-1983), Principal of Tate High School (1989-1992), and Escambia County School Board Member for District 4 (1992-1996). Throughout his career, he touched thousands of young lives, going far above and beyond what was required to show genuine care and concern for their future. Upon retirement from the FL public school system, Earl continued to give encouragement and direction to struggling young men and women as a Juvenile Parole Officer for the Division of Juvenile Justice (1997-2016). Earl was a faithful member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, where he was active on numerous committees, organized and participated in choir and mission trips, and so much more. He was an ordained elder and was honored by the congregation with the status Elder Emeritus in May, 2017. He held membership and leadership roles in numerous professional organizations, and his community involvement included membership in and serving as President of the Century Lions Club, Ensley Lions Club, and Pace Civitan Club. Earl leaves behind his devoted wife of 37 years, Rita Warren Hawthorne; sons, USCG CDR (retired) Jay (Allison) Hawthorne, Matthew Darrough, and Jason (Nicole) Darrough; daughter, Leigh Anne (Ted) Borowski; granddaughter, Ellen Hawthorne; and grandsons, Brad (Chelsea), Jeremy (Emily), and Sam Borowski and Connor and Jack Darrough; great-grandson, Luka Borowski; and brother, Harry (Sue) Hawthorne. These and many extended family members will miss Earl greatly, but there is joy in knowing the family he has now gone to join: his parents, L.J. (Bunk) and Anice Hawthorne; sister, Mary Nan Brown; brothers, Hugh Clifton and Johnny Mack Hawthorne; and wife of 27 years, Gladys Peppers Hawthorne, who was an elementary school educator until her death in 1980. Earl battled dementia during his last 5 years on this earth. Ever the educator, he continues to teach by participating in the University of Florida Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease Brain and Tissue Bank so that through research, treatments and a cure can be developed for the benefit of future generations. Earl’s family expresses their deepest gratitude to Vitas Healthcare and the Blake at Pensacola for the medical and emotional assistance they provided during Earl’s illness and also to those who lifted countless prayers to the Father on his behalf. A memorial service celebrating Earl’s life will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3400 Bayou Boulevard, in Pensacola on Saturday, November 7, 2020, at 2:00 PM. Social distancing protocols will be in place, and masks will be required. Those unable to attend may participate in the service via livestream by clicking here In lieu of flowers, please honor Earl’s memory with a gift to Manna Food Bank, Trinity Learning Center, or the Alzheimer’s Association.