James
James F. Hawkins Sr.
Jim completed his life’s journey and graduated from his temporal earthly realm to the eternal heavenly realm Sunday, January 21, 2018 at his home in Otsego.
He was born in Kalamazoo on January 30, 1935 the son of Hayward and Vera (Knapp) Hawkins. Jim was a 1954 State High graduate and had been a 4 year letterman in football, 3 year letterman in track and had been a member of the all city football team all 4 years. He had worked for KVP for 15 years and Fisher Body/GM for 30 years retiring in 1995.
Jim was an avid fisherman and in his spare time enjoyed going to antique car shows, attending southern gospel conventions, working in his vegetable garden and tinkering in his garage. His greatest joy was talking with people about his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He attended the First Baptist Church of Otsego. On June 20, 1957 in Plainwell at the United Methodist Church he married Charlene DeKam who survives.
Also surviving are his children, Jim Jr. (Esther) Hawkins of Vicksburg, Matt (Darcy) Hawkins of Dorr and Jackie (Ric) Wiseley of Gobles; 5 grandchildren, Nancy Thompson, Jason Ainsworth and Lizzie, Abbi and Gabbie Hawkins; 7 great-grandchildren and his step-siblings.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Betty Phillips and Dick Hawkins and his step-mother.
Jim is wearing his graduation robe as he sings with those that have gone on before and worships his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Friends may visit with Jim’s family from 6-8pm on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. On Friday, January 26, 2018, at the First Baptist Church of Otsego friends may greet the family from 10am until the time of the funeral at 11am, Pastor Paul Laborde officiating. Burial will follow at West Cooper Cemetery in Cooper Township.
Contributions in memory of Jim may be made to the First Baptist Church of Otsego,
Wings of Hope Hospice
or to the
American Heart Association
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of James F. Hawkins Sr.
Condolence Messages
Russ and Becky Deaton
January 22, 2018 at 6:50 pm
Jim was such a kind hearted man. Russ, I and our children were blessed to know him. Personally, I have always had as much or more respect for Jim than anyone I know. Our hearts go out to all who love Jim. I’m sure he will be missed dearly, and yet we rejoice in the assurance that he is in the presence of his Lord and Savior who he truly loved so much.
Reply
Judy & Jerry Root
January 22, 2018 at 7:41 pm
I’m so sad. Like his wife Char, Jim had an amazing outlook on life. He was thoughtful of others and made each person he spoke with feel better about themselves. Fun to be around, Jim was quick with a story and his own laugh was so infectious you found yourself laughing too. He was a loyal and devoted friend to all he knew. He was very well know for his presence at practically every home sporting event Plainwell had. He did this for decades. His biggest gift to us was passing those fabulous genes on to his exceptional children. God Bless you in this your time of great sorrow.
Reply
Ruby Rogers
January 22, 2018 at 8:04 pm
Dearest Charlene, Jim Jr (Esther &kids) Matt (Darcy & girls) Jackie (Ric)
We are sending lots of love and sympathy all your guys way.
Thank you for letting me and my family be a part of your family the last 2 years. Mr. Jim was such a devoted strong Christian father and husband, grandfather. I am so honored I got to know him on more of a personal level as a husband to char, and a dad to his kids, and Grandpa to his grandkids. I had a heart to heart with Mr. Jim on January 9th for a couple hours and I will carry what he told me forever. To put Jesus first. I’m going to miss him but I know he was ready to see Jesus. He adopted me as another granddaughter along the two year journey and I really appreciated it. From brooms to onions to salvation to heaven we will miss you jim and know we will see you in heaven. Love Ruby,Jeremy, ceana, Alan rogers
Reply
Sandy Skinner
January 23, 2018 at 7:58 am
Sending much sympathy and love to the family at this sad time.
Reply
Morley & Ruth Hawkins Williams Family
January 23, 2018 at 8:25 am
Charlene and Family-
Our family sends our condolences. So happy that Jim and you were able to celebrate your 60th Wedding Anniversary.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you ALL at this time.
Love,
the Morley & Ruth Hawkins Williams Family
Reply
Ed & Mary Lou Rawsthorne
January 23, 2018 at 3:47 pm
Dear Charlene and Family:
It’s been some years since we have had any contact with each other but we want you to know we have such sweet memories of the time we spent while at Bethel Baptist Church in Kalamazoo. Some good times together when our children were much younger!
We now live in Bradenton, Florida.
Praise the Lord for Jim’s personal relationship with his Savior! May you be comforted with God’s sweet grace at this time.
Reply
Pat Clingenpeel
January 23, 2018 at 6:53 pm
Dear Char & family,
Jim will be sadly missed, but just knowing he is with
our Holy Savior helps.
Always a smiling face & a good word.
God Bless all of you…
R.I.P. Jim
Reply
Conni Pierce
January 23, 2018 at 7:56 pm
Char and Family
Jim was one of the nicest people I have ever met always smiling and talking he will be greatly missed he is with the Lord now looking down and smiling Char and family he is now your Angel God bless you all much love Conni
Reply
Dave and Carol Scheffers
January 25, 2018 at 7:45 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Char and faimily. What a honor to know that Jim served the Lord by example. Praying without ceasing.
Reply
Bill and Laura Sandahl
January 25, 2018 at 2:45 pm
Dear Jim, Esther, and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We are happy that Jim Sr. is resting with Jesus.
Reply
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He was born in Kalamazoo on January 30, 1935 the son of Hayward and Vera (Knapp) Hawkins. Jim was a 1954 State High graduate and had been a 4 year letterman in football, 3 year letterman in track and had been a member of the all city football team all 4 years. He had worked for KVP for 15 years and Fisher Body/GM for 30 years retiring in 1995.
Jim was an avid fisherman and in his spare time enjoyed going to antique car shows, attending southern gospel conventions, working in his vegetable garden and tinkering in his garage. His greatest joy was talking with people about his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He attended the First Baptist Church of Otsego. On June 20, 1957 in Plainwell at the United Methodist Church he married Charlene DeKam who survives.
Also surviving are his children, Jim Jr. (Esther) Hawkins of Vicksburg, Matt (Darcy) Hawkins of Dorr and Jackie (Ric) Wiseley of Gobles; 5 grandchildren, Nancy Thompson, Jason Ainsworth and Lizzie, Abbi and Gabbie Hawkins; 7 great-grandchildren and his step-siblings.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Betty Phillips and Dick Hawkins and his step-mother.
Jim is wearing his graduation robe as he sings with those that have gone on before and worships his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Friends may visit with Jim’s family from 6-8pm on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. On Friday, January 26, 2018, at the First Baptist Church of Otsego friends may greet the family from 10am until the time of the funeral at 11am, Pastor Paul Laborde officiating. Burial will follow at West Cooper Cemetery in Cooper Township.
Contributions in memory of Jim may be made to the First Baptist Church of Otsego,
Wings of Hope Hospice
or to the
American Heart Association
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of James F. Hawkins Sr.
Condolence Messages
Russ and Becky Deaton
January 22, 2018 at 6:50 pm
Jim was such a kind hearted man. Russ, I and our children were blessed to know him. Personally, I have always had as much or more respect for Jim than anyone I know. Our hearts go out to all who love Jim. I’m sure he will be missed dearly, and yet we rejoice in the assurance that he is in the presence of his Lord and Savior who he truly loved so much.
Reply
Judy & Jerry Root
January 22, 2018 at 7:41 pm
I’m so sad. Like his wife Char, Jim had an amazing outlook on life. He was thoughtful of others and made each person he spoke with feel better about themselves. Fun to be around, Jim was quick with a story and his own laugh was so infectious you found yourself laughing too. He was a loyal and devoted friend to all he knew. He was very well know for his presence at practically every home sporting event Plainwell had. He did this for decades. His biggest gift to us was passing those fabulous genes on to his exceptional children. God Bless you in this your time of great sorrow.
Reply
Ruby Rogers
January 22, 2018 at 8:04 pm
Dearest Charlene, Jim Jr (Esther &kids) Matt (Darcy & girls) Jackie (Ric)
We are sending lots of love and sympathy all your guys way.
Thank you for letting me and my family be a part of your family the last 2 years. Mr. Jim was such a devoted strong Christian father and husband, grandfather. I am so honored I got to know him on more of a personal level as a husband to char, and a dad to his kids, and Grandpa to his grandkids. I had a heart to heart with Mr. Jim on January 9th for a couple hours and I will carry what he told me forever. To put Jesus first. I’m going to miss him but I know he was ready to see Jesus. He adopted me as another granddaughter along the two year journey and I really appreciated it. From brooms to onions to salvation to heaven we will miss you jim and know we will see you in heaven. Love Ruby,Jeremy, ceana, Alan rogers
Reply
Sandy Skinner
January 23, 2018 at 7:58 am
Sending much sympathy and love to the family at this sad time.
Reply
Morley & Ruth Hawkins Williams Family
January 23, 2018 at 8:25 am
Charlene and Family-
Our family sends our condolences. So happy that Jim and you were able to celebrate your 60th Wedding Anniversary.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you ALL at this time.
Love,
the Morley & Ruth Hawkins Williams Family
Reply
Ed & Mary Lou Rawsthorne
January 23, 2018 at 3:47 pm
Dear Charlene and Family:
It’s been some years since we have had any contact with each other but we want you to know we have such sweet memories of the time we spent while at Bethel Baptist Church in Kalamazoo. Some good times together when our children were much younger!
We now live in Bradenton, Florida.
Praise the Lord for Jim’s personal relationship with his Savior! May you be comforted with God’s sweet grace at this time.
Reply
Pat Clingenpeel
January 23, 2018 at 6:53 pm
Dear Char & family,
Jim will be sadly missed, but just knowing he is with
our Holy Savior helps.
Always a smiling face & a good word.
God Bless all of you…
R.I.P. Jim
Reply
Conni Pierce
January 23, 2018 at 7:56 pm
Char and Family
Jim was one of the nicest people I have ever met always smiling and talking he will be greatly missed he is with the Lord now looking down and smiling Char and family he is now your Angel God bless you all much love Conni
Reply
Dave and Carol Scheffers
January 25, 2018 at 7:45 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Char and faimily. What a honor to know that Jim served the Lord by example. Praying without ceasing.
Reply
Bill and Laura Sandahl
January 25, 2018 at 2:45 pm
Dear Jim, Esther, and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We are happy that Jim Sr. is resting with Jesus.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
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*
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*
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