Joe Darrell Hawkins, 87, of Baxter Springs died at his home July 1, 2021. Born September 10, 1933, in Miami, Okla., Joe was the son of Isabel and Andy Hawkins. They preceded in him in death. He was also preceded in death by his wife Patricia Gibson Hawkins,.
Joe was a graduate of Miami High School with the class of 1951
He married Patricia Gibson, of Baxter Springs, March 27, 1954. He served in the United States Army at a Nike missile base in Simsbury, Conn. He returned home to Baxter Springs in 1957 and resumed working at B.F. Goodrich, where he worked for another 28 years.
After his stint at B.F. Goodrich, Joe drove a school bus for Baxter Springs School District for many years. He touched many lives through his volunteer work with the Boy Scouts, the local Masonic Lodge, the Baxter Springs Senior Housing Center and the Baxter museum.
Joe is survived by one daughter, Jana Parker (husband, Dan, deceased), of Blue Springs, Mo.; one son, Steven Hawkins (wife, Paula), of Lenexa; five grandchildren: Janet Parker-Spain (husband, Brandon) of Galena, Rachel Shuck (husband, Kirsten) of Overland Park, Ashley Hawkins of Prairie Village, McKenna Parker of Lawrence and Mallory Montgomery (husband, Dane) of Blue Springs, Mo.; and four great-grandchildren: Ashton Parker, Ava and Daniel Montgomery, and Annie Shuck. Another great-grandchild will be arriving in August.
Joe was a great husband, a loving father and a superhero of a grandfather and great-grandfather. Joe was a man that family and friends could always depend on, look up to, and reminisce with for days.
A graveside service will be held at the Ottawa Indian Cemetery Friday, July 9, at 10 a.m. Masks are required for attendance to respect the safety of others. Joe has been entrusted to Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel for cremation. Online condolences maybe expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.