Rex E. Hawkins

Rex E. Hawkins chose Nov. 26,2009, Thanksgiving Day, as his day of transition from this life to the next. He died at the Sunshine Terrace, surrounded by family members.
Rex was born to Earl and Chloe Hawkins on Sept. 28, 1921, in Annis, Idaho. He was raised in Nephi, Utah. He was the oldest of 3 children. He has one sister, Elaine Garrett, of Kaysville and a brother, Max of Redmond.
He worked hard for his parents with a family motel and on a small farm. He became an accomplished clarinet and tennis player during his high school years. During his growing up years, he enjoyed exploring the Nebo Wilderness Area and all the activities associated with the outdoors.
After graduating from Juab High School, Rex attended Utah State University for 3 years. He enlisted in the United States Navy as an aviation cadet on Thanksgiving Day of 1942. He received his wings after dive-bombing training in Corpus Christi, Texas. Prior to being assigned to the Pacific Campaign, he married Lorraine Ricks from Benson, Utah, on March 10, 1944.
Rex served in WWII as a bomber pilot. He participated in campaigns in Iwo Jima, Guam, Bonin Islands, and the Philippines. As a result of his actions, he received numerous medals. After returning to the U.S., Rex had a few quick tours along the eastern coast. In 1946, he was released to inactive duty in the Naval Reserve.
Rex returned to USU for one quarter and was notified that he was accepted for Regular Navy. For the next 18 years, his Naval career included: landing signal officer for the Atlantic Fleet, instructor at a night fighter school in Key West, FL, attending general line school and being in the Operations Department as a training officer in Monterrey, CA, becoming a helicopter pilot in Pensacola, FL, serving aboard the USS Macon, Rushmore, Edisto, and Neptune out of Lakehurst, NJ, serving as executive officer of the Fleet Aircraft Squadron 101 in Quonset Point, RI, flying helicopters for the Mine Defense Lab in Panama City, FL, and finally being the Operations Officer in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. His wife, Lorraine and children were evacuated to the US at this time.
Rex retired from the Navy in 1964. He returned to USU to earn a degree in Education. He then went to Indiana University and received a masters degree in AV Communications. Rex was called back into the Navy and was assigned to Kingsville, TX. He retired again in 1969 and for the next 20 years taught NJROTC, 10 years in New Orleans, LA and 10 years in New Port Richie, FL. as the Officer in Charge.
In Dec. 1989, Rex and Lorraine moved to Cape Coral, FL., to be close to their son and a daughter. They were there for 17 years. Lorraine passed away on April 13,2006.
Following the death of Lorraine, Rex moved to Logan to be closer to his daughter, Vicki. They have shared 3 wonderful years together.

In May, 2007, Rex was reunited with his high school sweetheart, Ilene Pack. They enjoyed a 2 ½ year friendship before her passing on Sept. 5, 2009.
Rex loved animals, especially dogs and cats. He and Lorraine took in and provided love for scores of animals. Over the years, Rex enjoyed tinkering with cars, riding motorcycles, river rafting, deep-sea fishing, boating, camping, and playing golf. He came to Utah almost every summer to visit his parents and to enjoy his beloved Nephi Canyon.
Rex is survived by his 3 children: Vicki (Peter) Olson of North Logan, Lora Montgomery of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Gary (Cindy) Hawkins of Ft. Myers, FL., 7 grandchildren: Michael, Richard, Brian, Brandon, Ashley, Jason, and Jesse, and 7 great-grandchildren: Alexis, Alyssa, Dakota, Hunter, Aleah, Aspen, and Logan.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center, Logan. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net

We love you POP. You will be missed.