James “Jim” Hawks

January 8th, 1947 - February 4th, 2022

James's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of James here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

Jim was more like a brother than a cousin growing up. I remember times when my sisters weren't in school for some reason, Jim would walk a mile out of his way so that I didn't have to walk home alone. We had such fun together. During recess at Daly School, he would stand on the swing with me sitting and swing us so high that I could see over the top of the bar. We would go frog hunting, fishing and swimming in the summer. I remember Jim walking in the water on Dewey Lake and getting leaches on his ankle. He pulled them off as the blood ran down his foot. Of course, he had to chase me pretending that he was going to put them on me. He laughed and I screamed, then I laughed too. Jim was very athletic and very strong.
He would walk on his hands and do backflips. He would lay on the floor and I would stand on his hands. He would raise me into the air until his arms were perfectly straight. We would build snow forts and our parents got upset once when we built a tunnel through a huge snow drift. They made us cave it in before it caved in on us. One cold winter day, he stopped and asked me if I wanted to go swimming. I did not but others told me that he chopped a hole in the ice and jumped in. Did he do it? I do not know. We all went to Five Mile Corner for the drive in movie in the summer. Fortunately, Jim with some friends parked next to me one evening. I must have pumped the brake during the movie because when we got ready to go, my brakes were gone. Jim saw that I was having trouble and left his friends so that he could drive my car safely, without brakes, back to my house that night. That was Jim - protective, fun, there when he was needed. I loved being his cousin and I loved him.

Sharon Brown

February 17th, 2022 at 2:35pm

The Hawks joined our church when they moved to Decatur, but I never got to know Jim because of his failing health. I did come to appreciate Kandi though and the wonderful caretaker she was for Jim. Because Kandi would post her memories and pictures of their family of Facebook , I did get to know Jim. What a wonderful husband, family man and neighbor he must have been. Jim will be greatly missed by those who loved and appreciated him.

Joan & Warren Brown Grosvenor

February 15th, 2022 at 8:12pm

It’s been decades since the time spent on MI Ave. My sincere sympathies to the entire Hawks family. Growing up I was one of the youngest kids on the block. I knew I couldn’t get away with anything because Mr. Hawks was always watching. He was always out tinkering with something. Heck he even could ride a unicycle. Most of the older kids in the neighborhood could even walk on stilts. Looking back I’m thankful to have grown up in what I once thought was such a “weird” neighborhood. May his family be comforted in knowing he’s still always watching, now he just has the best view.