Sam Henry Hawkins

CDR Sam Henry Hawkins, USN Ret. has “slipped the surly bonds of Earth” for the final time, and joins his beloved wife, Grace, his daughter Jennifer, and his son Michael in Heaven. Sam passed away peacefully in his new home in Allen, Texas, on 12 January 2025.

Sam was born in Sarasota, Florida, on September 3rd, 1935. In grade school, he met the girl who would become his soulmate for life, Grace Marie Schmitt. Sam and Grace dated throughout high school and eventually went off to college together. After two years, Sam left school to enter Naval Cadet (NAVCAD) flight training in Pensacola, Florida. While there, he and Grace were married. They would be together for another 57 years.

After Sam and Grace returned from his first duty station in Port Lyautey, Morrocco, he re-entered flight training and transitioned into the McDonnell Douglass A-4 Skyhawk. It would begin a life-long love affair between Sam and this nimble little jet. He relished being a navy pilot and spent hours talking about the joy of flying, the terror of night catapult shots, and even the frightful thrill of combat. He was shot down over Haiphong Harbor, Vietnam while serving with VA-34 aboard the USS Intrepid. He was rescued by helicopter and promptly sent a telegram to Grace saying “…would not have missed it for the world”. After twenty years, Sam retired, a highly decorated Navy pilot with awards including: the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and numerous combat Air Medals.

Sam never stopped learning. He enjoyed being a student as much as he did being an instructor. At age 61, he earned his Ph.D. and began a final career as a college professor. He taught at a variety of colleges and universities in Florida. In his seventies, he even went back to sea with the US Navy and taught college classes to sailors aboard an operational Navy cruiser. Sam taught into his eighties, but he never stopped learning. In November 2024, he applied to Southern Methodist University, met with advisors and had determined to begin classes this spring.

Sam was proud of his military service, extremely proud of his marriage and life with Grace, but perhaps most proud of his children – Chris, Jamie and Jennifer. He loved being a father and was always there for his kids. He coached and counseled throughout his life and once sacrificed lucrative job opportunities to keep a promise he had made to his sons - that they could finish high school in Sarasota. To keep that promise, he worked three jobs, including as a night watchman just to make ends meet. Once the promise was fulfilled, he left Sarasota to embark on a successful career in defense contracting.

Most of all, Sam was a man of faith. He and Grace were married at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Sarasota and were both passionate about the Lord and their faith in God. Sam credited that faith with seeing him through many difficult times. His faith in God’s mercy and His plan kept him focused on the future and the reward for a lifetime of love and service.

Sam leaves behind his sons, Chris and Jamie, their wives Jan and Kay, his five grandchildren: Jessica, Joshua, Matt, Daniel and Sam; and his great-grandchildren Brayson and Ellie.