Shayne Christopher Hawkins

Shayne was born to Dale Hawkins and Debbie Hawkins, on April 28, 1986 at Carl W. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas. He spent the first five years of his life living in Ansbach, Germany, and Tacoma, Washington, before returning to Austin, Texas for the remainder of his life. He was a long time resident of South Austin and attended Odom Elementary, Bedichek Middle School, and Crockett High School. He graduated from Austin Community College with a degree in Visual Communications.

Shayne was a published poet while attending elementary school, and an accomplished artist by the time he reached high school. His art work was displayed at Austin City Hall and various other places around Austin. He was a long time member of Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s Totally Cool Totally Art Program from junior high until he graduated from high school.

Shayne loved to build things and was most proud of his land yacht and rail car. He loved the beauty and power of trains and was a volunteer usher with the Austin Steam Train Association during his teens. He loved to travel and go on cruises with his family and friends. Shayne was an avid lover and rider of roller coasters and thrill rides and had visited many theme parks around the country racking up rides on his favorite coasters. He enjoyed caving with member friends of the Underground Texas Grotto, Friday night dinners with blue margaritas and his family at Jalisco’s on Congress Avenue, and Saturday night porch parties, a good bottle of wine, and hanging out with his family and adopted family from next door and across the street, Christina, Hugh, Alex, Ethan, Gretchen and Mike. He loved Jimmy Buffett music, Irish drinking songs, reading, designing theme park rides, and all things science, inventor, and technology related.

Shayne was employed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Enforcement Division, as an Administrative Assistant until he retired for medical reasons in 2019. He enjoyed his family at TDLR and always had a smile and kind word for the loving and caring friends who supported him throughout his journey. He always thought he had the best white elephant gift idea when he had to return the traditional TDLR pickle he received from the year before.

Shayne fought a valiant battle against Glioblastoma Multi Forme for almost eight years. He is predeceased by his grandfather, Dale Hawkins, Sr.; grandmother, Jennie Navarre. He is survived by his parents, Dale and Debbie Hawkins of Austin, Texas, his uncles Rick Reiselman, Travis Navarre, Richard Hawkins, and grandfather, Joseph Navarre. He leaves behind a huge extended family of good friends who lovingly supported him throughout his illness.

Shayne’s family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses and staff that cared, treated, encouraged and supported Shayne during his illness. Shayne was a beacon of hope and a shining example of strength, courage, dignity, and inspiration for all those who knew him. As an expression of sympathy, contributions may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association.