George Hawkins, Jr.

Mr. George Hawkins, Jr. was born to George Hawkins, Sr., and Eliza Ruth Sims on June 25, 1934, in Elm Mott, TX. He departed this life peacefully on March 20, 2022.

George was affectionately known as Big Jr. and T-Hawk by his family and friends, respectively. He grew up in Waco, TX. In 1950, the family moved to Odessa, TX. He graduated from Blackshear High School in 1954 and excelled at football and basketball. He loved going to his Blackshear reunions and reconnecting with his high school friends. George pursued his education at Prairie View A&M University, Mary Allen College, and Butler College. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1959 from Butler College.

On August 11, 1962, he married Elray Bundage. They were married for 20 years and during that time their pride and joy, Valaree Tisa Hawkins, was born.

In his professional career, George worked forty-one years with the Ector County Independent School District as a PE coach at Carver, Goldsmith, and Noel elementary schools. He also taught Texas History, Physical Science and coached girls’ and boys’ sports at Ector Jr. High School and Ector High School. Coach, another term of endearment, was loved and respected by his students, co-workers, and many others in the community. George was a member of the Iota Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was also a Master Mason.

George was a member of St. Matthew Baptist Church in Odessa, TX. He enjoyed going to church and participating in Sunday School until his health failed. A music lover, he enjoyed a variety of music and in his later years, country music became a favorite.

George is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Elma Carter, Doris Willis, and Johnnie Mae Roberts; brothers, Emmanuel Hawkins, and David Lee Hawkins; nieces, Debra Kay Carter, and Rose Whitfield; nephews Ricky Willis, Fred Carter III and Larry Farris and a great niece Nichole Whitley.

He leaves to cherish his memory a devoted daughter, Valaree Tisa Hawkins of Odessa, TX; godson, Gage Pettis (Melanie) of Austin, TX; nieces, Glennice Whitley, Midland, TX and Carolyn Watkins (Melvin), Odessa, TX; nephews, James Guyton (Rachel), Odessa, TX, Hobart Farris, Odessa, TX, Joe Carter, Atlanta, GA, Billy Earl Compton, Dallas, TX, and Timothy Whitfield, Sr., Aurora, CO; very special friends, Jonnie Pettis and Elray Young of Odessa, TX; and many cousins and friends.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The family of Mr. George Hawkins, Jr. would like to thank you for your sweet expressions of love shown to us during this difficult time. Your thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated and will always be remembered.  Special thanks to his doctors, Star Hospice, Jessie Campos, Sandra Sauceda and Carole McCutcheon. There will not be a repast. Thank you for understanding our wish to continue to keep everyone as safe as possible.