Obituaries

James Franklin Hawkins

Photo of James Franklin Hawkins
James Franklin Hawkins, 95, died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, August 17, 2016. Franklin was born on January 12, 1921, in Ft. Smith, to S. M. and Beulah Wright Hawkins. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucia Leigh "Mitty" Hunt Hawkins, his brother, Dr. Wright Hawkins, and his sisters, Marion Hawkins Doss and Betty Ann Hawkins Creaghe. Survivors include his wife, Patricia, of Ft. Smith; his brother, Robert E. Hawkins, of Ft. Smith; his sons, John B. Hawkins (Nancy) and James F. "Jim" Hawkins, Jr. (Robin), and daughter, Lucia Hawkins Laughlin (Brent) of Tulsa; his grandchildren, Nan Hawkins Winton (Richard), Lindsey Hawkins Bristow (Matthew), Hunt Hawkins (Beth), Scott Hawkins (Nicole), Chris Hawkins (Maria), Laura Hawkins Johnson (Mike), Shepherd Laughlin, Lucia Leigh Laughlin, and Lana Laughlin; and 17 great-grandchildren. Franklin loved his family and friends. He was passionate about business, history, art, books, his pets, his yard, travel, and a good party. He was a 1942 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a BA degree. That same year, he joined the Navy, and married Mitty, his longtime sweetheart. Franklin remembered with great fondness his years as a Navy lieutenant, February 1942--January 1950. He loved to tell stories of his life at sea on board a destroyer during World War II. He crossed The Atlantic many times, protecting convoys taking supplies to Allied Forces, and sailed the Pacific, guarding The Panama Canal and western South America. Returning from World War II, Franklin pursued farming, which gave him great pleasure throughout his life, before opening Hawkins Company, Inc., an air conditioning and heating company. In 1968, he founded Wright Oil Company of Oklahoma, Inc., and he shared his interest in the energy industry with his sons. He also pursued real estate investments, and he had a particular interest in buildings of historical significance. In 1989, Franklin married the second love of his life, Pat Boyd. Together they took many memorable trips, enjoying winters in Florida and summers in Maine. Franklin was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, serving on the Board of Deacons and as an elder. Community involvement and leadership were of special interest to Franklin. He was proud to serve as president of the Sparks Regional Medical Center board, the Sparks Regional Medical Center Foundation, the Old Fort Museum, the Westark Community College Foundation board, and the City National Bank board. Additionally, he served on the boards of the Ft. Smith Heritage Foundation, the Ft. Smith Community Foundation, Leadership Ft. Smith, and the Baldor Electric Company. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Franklin's secretary of 67 years, Edna Phillips, Kathy Luper and Jimmy Turner, caregivers Kathy Mills, Bonnie Rogers, Vessie Wilhite, Sherry Russell, and Bonessa Wagner, and Peachtree Hospice. Visitation will be held Friday, August 19, 4-6 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home. Memorial services will be Saturday, August 20, 11:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1209 North B Street, Ft. Smith, Ark. under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Clinic, 615 North B Street, Ft. Smith, Ark. 72901, or Clayton House, 514 North 6th Street, Ft. Smith, Ark. 72901. To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.

Published August 19, 2016

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