Gorden A Hawkins

June 7, 1929 ~ August 10, 2011
Gorden A Hawkins was born June 7, 1929, in Blanding, UT. He was the fourth child of Philip Lawrence and Laura Elizabeth Brown Hawkins. He passed away in his home on August 10, 2011.
He is preceded in death by his parents, older brothers Don and Ormas, sons Robert and James and great-granddaughter Angelica.
In 1950, he was drafted into the Army. He spent some time on the front lines in Korea and later was chosen to serve in the honor guard attached to the 88th MP Corp guarding the 10th Corp headquarters. He was discharged in August, 1952.
He married his sweetheart, Laurel Sheppard, in the Manti Temple on June 15, 1953. To this loving union was born eight children, Kim, Lynne (Jim) Allred, Gorden Alan (Donna), Laurie (Tracy) Crook, James Lawrence, David Wayne (Toni), Robert William and Marilee (Darrin) Barrell. At the time of his death, he had 40 grandchildren plus spouses, and 65 great-grandchildren with five more on the way.
He loved his Heavenly Father and was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the gospel and held many callings.
He served two stake missions, worked in the Cub Scouts, was in charge of the “little meeting”, was president of the Sunday School and was also a primary teacher.
He worked for many years at the Blanding golf course, with most of those years being volunteer. He was a policeman one year before becoming Blanding City Chief of Police. He was the Chief for nine years.
He ran the water treatment plant for the city for several years, was maintenance supervisor for UNDC for 13 years and was a volunteer firefighter for the city for 45 years. The last 15 of those, he served as the Blanding City Fire Chief.
He could fix anything. He fixed small engines and for a few years he even fixed people appliances. He had a lot of common sense and could figure out most problems.
His life was one of service: service to his country, to his community, to his church and especially to his family. He loved his kids, his grandkids and truly loved his dear wife. He is an example of honor and integrity that we would do well to follow.
We know that there was a great reunion in heaven when he went home and we are pretty sure that he will be out four wheeling among the clouds. Over the coming years we will all feel of Dad’s love. We know he wouldn’t leave unless he could keep an eye on all of us. We love you and will miss you our Father, Grandfather, Husband, Friend and OUR HERO.