Joe Byrom Hawkins, Jr

  Joe Byrom Hawkins, Jr. was born January 17, 1949, in Phoenix, AZ, to the late Joe Byrom & Marjorie Grace (Arnold) Hawkins, Sr.  He died on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Ardmore, at the age of 75. 

    Joe grew up in California. He joined the United States Army on May 20, 1969, serving during the Vietnam War.  His dedicated service to our country earned him several medals, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietman Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the Army on November 22, 1970, he returned to California, prior to moving to Spencer, OK, in 1977, where he worked as a police officer.  Later he moved to Ontario, CA, where he continued his career in law enforcement, working as a security guard for Kaiser Permenti Health.

    In 2010, Joe retired and returned to Oklahoma, residing in the Kingston area. This move allowed him to be closer to his family.   While living in the lake area, Joe spent much of time fishing and spending time with his beloved family. Due to health issues, the final years of Joe’s life were spent living at the Ardmore Veterans Center. 

   Survivors include two sisters, Nancy Valdez of Arizona and Dalyse Kilhoffer & husband Ed of Kingston, OK; nieces and nephews including Debbie Clark, Kathy Valdez & Micheal Valdez all of Arizona, Tim Tillama & Jack Johnson, Jr of California, Tom Tillama of Oregon, Dale Kilhoffer, Brenda Back, Vickie McCoy, & Jill Smith all of Oklahoma, and Bobbie Williamson of Texas; as well as numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. 

  In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by one sister, Peggy Johnson and her husband Jack. 

  Graveside funeral services, with military honors, will be held at 10:00 AM, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at the Oklahoma State Veterans Cemetery, in Ardmore, OK, with Pastor Alan McCoy officiating.