HAWKINS, JAMES K., June 12, 1920 – December 26, 2004

James K. Hawkins passed away on December 26, 2004, surrounded by his beloved wife of 58 ½ years, Beulah, daughters Dr. Myrt and Suzanne Hawkins and devoted friend Betty Mattheus.

The youngest of four children, Jim was born in a log cabin in Samaria, Idaho on June 12, 1920 to parents Mr. Thomas E. and Mrs. Jane price Hawkins. Soon after his birth his family moved to Ogden, Utah where Jim received his education.

Times were tough and Jim always had a job even while growing up, including being a salesman for the Fair Better Ice Cream Company while still in high school. Jim was an excellent student and received a full 4-year academic scholarship from the United States Gypsum Corp. But lacking the funds to go to college, upon completing high school in 1939 he hired on with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company as a student fireman. On December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, Jim saw this as a personal ultimatum and he immediately enlisted in the US Navy and served in the South Pacific for 3 years; an experience he spoke proudly of throughout his life.

Following his discharge from military service, Jim returned to Reno, Nevada where he immediately went to work for the Southern Pacific Railroad and married his true love to begin a family.

With Jim’s return to the Southern Pacific he began a 40 year career as a locomotive engineer, starting on the great steam-powered engines and continuing through the advent of diesel powered engines until his retirement in 1981. Because so few remaining engineers had the knowledge to run steam engines, one of Jim’s fondest memories was being recalled with fellow engineer George Parigini to help bring one of the last operating steam locomotives to it’s current home at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California.

Jim was a lifetime member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Truckee Division 158 and served as the union’s secretary/treasurer. He was also a member of Wadsworth Lodge #25 of the F. & A.M., life member and 2nd order in Kerak Shriners, member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jim was a devoted family man, intensely loyal friend, and an avid reader, curious about the world around him. Jim also loved playing golf with his gang and especially enjoyed playing at the Washoe County and Sierra Sage golf courses and served as past president of the Reno men’s Golf Club.

Jim is survived by his wife, Beulah, daughters Dr. Myrt and Suzanne Hawkins, sisters Edith Hansen and Mary Black of St. George and Ogden, Utah, many nieces and nephews, and dear friend Betty Mattheus.

Preceding Jim in death were his father Tom, mother Jane and brother Bill.

The Northern Nevada Memorial is in charge of arrangements. A private interment will be held.