James Robert Hawk

James Robert Hawk passed away on April 1. 2017. He was born in Independence, MO, the son of William T. and Ruth L. Hawk. He attended Northeast High School in Kansas City MO, went on to William Jewell College then transferred and graduated from the U. of Arizona, Tucson. He eventually received his Master’s in education from CSU Sacramento. As a young man, James also proudly served in the Arizona National Guard and the US Army Reserve at Fort Ord, CA.

In 2006, he moved to Madison, WI where he enjoyed being the “grandpa down the street.” Later, he moved to Dallas, TX to live his remaining years with his best friend.

Jim lived most of his adult life in Sacramento, CA. For over thirty years, he taught at Hiram Johnson High School and Hiram Johnson West Campus. He applied sharp wit, love of teaching and current headlines to open the hearts and minds of secondary students in American government, economics and public speaking.

Among his many accomplishments, Jim was an outstanding family man. He spent lifetimes helping his daughters with homework, driving between school activities, and advising on the issues of boys, friends, school, and the many trials of life. He made the mundane drive to school an airplane flight exploration and the trials of potty-training the family pet a puppy reality show competition.

Jim was honored to play many roles in life: brother, husband, partner, grandfather, great grandfather, teacher, mentor, and friend. He loved baseball, a good meal and the telling of a good story. He valued hard work and contributing to your community. He served God and family with equal devotion. While he saw himself as a simple school teacher from California, many saw him as a leader of men in compassion, humor and love.

Jim was proceeded in death by his wife of 48 years, Linda S. Hawk. He will be deeply missed by his sister Diane Roberts (Blue Springs, MO) his best friend, M. Kay Hazelbaker (Richardson, TX) his daughters, Melissa L. Hawk (Paradise, CA) and Miranda R. Hawk (Madison, WI) and his grandchildren Adrian, Rosalyn and Benjamin Maisonet and Calum and Aidan McClenaghan.

May we honor his life by loving unconditionally, smiling at the good stories in our lives and always being curious of the world around us.

Arrangements under the direction of Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.