John Leach Hawkins, 76, of Midland passed away on December 20, 2018. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 27, 2018, at Mid-Cities Community Church-Neely Campus, 3309 Neely, in Midland. Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park, Midland, Texas.John was born on June 21, 1942 in Rotan Texas to Fredrick and Chrystelle Hawkins. Always a fearless risk-taker, after graduating from Sweetwater High School, he had his mother drive him to the edge of town and drop him by the highway so he could begin his new life. He made his way to Midland where he found employment with Mobil Pipeline and worked for them for over 30 years. Mobil sent him to New Mexico, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Nigeria, Holland and even Spain. His career was interrupted only by his time serving his country as an Army Electrician with the 507th Engineering Detachment in Vietnam during which time he earned several decorations and medals including one for Sharpshooter. Upon returning home, he happened upon the love of his life, Jerry Ruethel Berry, of Seminole, Texas, to whom he was married for over 51 years. Their bond so great, he survived her by only 19 days.John didn’t have a lot to say but when he spoke, it was either riddled with dark humor or unconventional wisdom. The family’s favorite “Dad-ism:” Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, intelligence is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.”John is preceded in death by his wife, Jerry, his parents Fred and Chrystelle Hawkins of Rotan, Texas and his younger sister, Lynda Kenner also of Rotan.John is survived by oldest daughter, Kelly, and her husband, Ben Ferguson, daughter, Holly Lazzari; son, Juston Hawkins; and daughter, Jaime, and her husband, Tommy Cole, all of Midland. Also surviving John are his brothers, David Hawkins, and wife, Minnie, Tim Hawkins and wife, Pam, as well as his brother in law, David Berry, and wife, Lucy. John was known as GrandJohn to his six grandchildren: Montgomery and Cayden Light of Midland, Case Martin and Jayden Lazzari of Oklahoma and Brody and Reagan Cole of Midland. John also has several beloved nieces and nephews.The family would like to express their gratitude for the kind condolences, meals, prayers and all the shared memories that made us laugh and cry.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.,
