CHARLES E. HAWKINS

Charles Elliot Hawkins, 68 of Devils Lake, ND, passed away Sunday morning, September 15, 2013 at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Fargo, ND, with members of his family by his side. Friends and relatives are invited to celebrate Charles’ life on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to service, all at the Gilbertson Funeral Home in Devils Lake, with Pastor Thea Monson officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Music will be provided by Patty Cote. Charles was born on April 13, 1945 to Neil and Thelma (Creel) Hawkins. He grew-up in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, and graduated from Shawnee Mission High School in May 1963. While in high school, Charles played on the football team and was involved in other school activities. Charles entered the United States Air Force on June 22, 1964 and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged from active duty service on June 21, 1968 with the rank of Sargent E-5. Charles later served with the North Dakota National Guard at Camp Grafton where he again served his country during Desert Storm. He retired in 1995 with the rank of Sergeant First Class E-7 and with more than 22 years of dedicated service to his country. Charles was united in marriage to Juana Gomez on June 8, 1966 in Grand Forks, ND, where they established their home for two years while Charles was stationed with the Air Force. The couple then moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where Charles worked as an Industrial Sales Representative with Snap-On Tools for the next 14 years. The family moved back to North Dakota where Charles was employed at the Edmore Cenex Station and Nekoma School. They later moved to Devils Lake where Charles worked for 25 years as the Director of Food Service for the North Dakota School for the Deaf. He retired on July 30, 2007. Charles was dedicated to his family, his country and his career. In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing, watching sports, collecting baseball cards, working crossword puzzles and taking care of his three dogs and fish. Charles was a loving and proud father and grandfather, a faithful friend and neighbor, and a true patriot. Charles is survived by his children, Lisa Pickard of Grand Forks, Lance Hawkins (Becky) of Devils Lake, Sherry Eback (Dante) of Georgetown, Indiana, and Angela Hawkins of Shakopee, Minnesota; mother of their four children, Juana Myhre of Edmore, ND; 10 grandchildren, Chris (Lindsey) Pickard, Nicholas Pickard and Danielle Pickard; Maria Hawkins and Isabelle Hawkins; Charlie Eback, Sofia Eback, Jack Eback and Leo Eback; Tyler Rasmussen; great granddaughter, Alivia Pickard. Charles was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Roger Hawkins and several aunts and uncles.