James Donald Hawk

Dr. James Donald Hawk, age 86, died Friday, September 15, 2017, at his home in Statesboro, GA. Born in Heard County near the town of Centralhatchee, he was the son of Robert E. Hawk and Maude McWaters Hawk.

Dr. Hawk was a lifelong educator in the state of Georgia. He received his Certificate for Elementary Teachers from West Georgia College in 1950 and taught in the Carroll County school system before serving as a unit supply specialist with the rank of sergeant in the Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Subsequent to his military service, he received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from the University of Georgia and was teaching 7th grade at the Sand Hill School when he was awarded a Junior Fellowship Grant under the Kellogg Foundation. This enabled him to earn his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Georgia at the age of 27.

Dr. Hawk was serving on the faculty of Tift College in Forsyth when he married his wife of 57 years, Barbara Simpson Hawk. The couple moved to Statesboro in 1962 when he joined the faculty of Georgia Southern College.

During his tenure, he served as the head of the Department of Professional Laboratory Experiences, functioning as the director of student teaching. He also served as president of the Southeastern Regional Association of Teacher Educators, president of the Georgia Association of Teacher Educators, and as a member of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission from 1976 to 1981. Dr. Hawk retired from Georgia Southern University in 1993.

He was a member and past president of the Statesboro Lions Club and was a member of the First Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Hawk was preceded in death by his brothers Paul and Eugene Hawk.

Surviving are his wife, Barbara Simpson Hawk; his son, Michael Hawk of Los Angeles, CA; his daughter, Donnel (Joe) Matijasich of Pickerington, OH; his grandchildren, Tyler and Paige Matijasich of Pickerington, OH; his sister, Eloise Hawk Smith of Newnan, GA; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and others whose lives he has touched.

There will be a private service held on Saturday, September 23rd with Reverend David Parker officiating.

Remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association and/or the American Diabetes Association.

Please visit our online memorial at www.hodgesmoore .com to sign the guestbook and share fond memories with the Hawk Family.

Hodges-Moore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.