Sandy resident Russell Hawkins, 72, went to be with Jesus Wednesday, April 25. Emphysema ended his life at a roadside rest area in Salt Lake City, Utah while on vacation.
A Celebration of his life with full military honors will be held at 1PM Friday May 4, 2012 at Living Way Fellowship in Sandy. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 5-7PM at Sandy Funeral Home. Private burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery.
Russell was born January 20, 1940 to Lloyd A. and Thelma L. (Adams) Hawkins in Chadwick MO. The family later moved to Bloomington IN. From there Russ joined the U.S. Navy. He proudly served his country for 22.5 years. During this time he served on the USS Eversole, USS Los Angeles, USS Taylor, USS Hassayampa, USS Knox, and the USS Barbey. He served with the Pacific Fleet on the Hassayampa during the Viet Nam War. He considered it a privilege to serve his country and attained the rank of E-9 Master Chief.
Russell married Helene Louise Herman on September 15, 1962 in Las Vegas, NV. To this union three children were born; Jennell Mitchell and Steven Hawkins of Sandy and Janice (Mark) Senger of Clackamas.
While in the Navy Russell and his family were stationed in several places, but his favorite was the 8 years the family served in Hawaii. While there they took up SCUBA diving, spearfishing and shell collecting. They built a boat in the backyard which did not leak and proved very seaworthy.
After Russ retired, he and his family moved to Sandy where he and Helene finished raising their family. He enjoyed camping, fishing, NASCAR racing and driving his geezer buggy and quad on the dunes. In later years he enjoyed attending Living Way Fellowship. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 4273 in Sandy.
Russ is survived by his wife and children; brother, Cleo Hawkins and sister, Irene Adams both of Bloomington, IN; 12 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Sharon England and Carol Fuller both of Bloomington, IN.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Living Way Fellowship Church.