Another Pony Lost

[Bob Peetz]

Fair Winds and Following Seas Don

Larry Hone sends:

From: Sharon Hawkins <sha...@teamhawkins.me>

Subject: Donald Hawkins obituary

Date: August 5, 2025 at 6:53:22 PM EDT

Obituary for Donald O. Hawkins, Jr 

     Donald Orr Hawkins, Jr. passed and claimed his eternal reward on August 2, 2025. He was born on November 15, 1945 and was predeceased by his parents Donald O. and Judy Hawkins of Portsmouth, Virginia.  He leaves behind his teammate, partner, and beloved wife of 45 years, Sharon Brantley Hawkins; brother Andy & wife Merilee Hawkins and nephews Drew, Sam, and Jeremy; and sister Susan Hawkins. 

     He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, class of 1964, and a member of the National Honor Society; and Randolph-Macon College, class of 1968, with a BS in Mathematics.  Brother Don was the Grand Master of the Eta chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Chairman of the Interfraternity Council.  He earned his MBA from William & Mary in 1997.

     After college, he enlisted in the navy, earning his Navy Pilot’s Wings of Gold with carrier qualification as a Naval Aviator at Pensacola in 1969.  His active duty assignment was flying close air support attack missions in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam and Cambodia with the Black Ponies of Light Attack Squadron Four (VAL-4) supporting the U.S. Navy Seal Teams, Riverine Warfare Units, Special Operations, Marine Corps Advisors, U.S. Army units, and Allied forces in 1970/71.  As a Fire Team Leader, Lt jg Hawkins flew 366 combat missions in the OV-10A Bronco receiving awards and decorations including 40 individual and strike flight Air Medals and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.  In the navy reserves, he was an Aircraft Commander and Flight Team Leader in VS-72, flying S2-E’s; in VAW-78, flying E1-B’s; and VR-56, flying DC-9B’s.  He graduated from the Aviation Safety Management School at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA.  He finished his naval career as a facilitator in the Command Excellence Program.  Commander Hawkins, USNR-R, proudly and honorably served the USA and its Navy for 26 years and accumulated over 5000 pilot hours of military flying.

    After Vietnam, for twenty years, he was the Department Head of Risk Management on the staff of Virginia International Terminals Inc., the operating company of the Virginia Port Authority.  Don had special interests in passenger ship operations, hazardous cargo operations, transportation industry safety, solving customers’ problems, corporate management, and greatly contributed to the growth of the Port of Virginia. 

    Captain Hawkins completed his civilian career flying with Gemini Air Cargo Inc., flying DC-10freighters, in international operations, and retired from Gemini in 2005.  Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, or South America was usually in his itinerary.  As a Cessna aircraft owner and an airline Captain, he accumulated over 5000 pilot hours.

          As a Freemason, Brother Hawkins was a Master Mason of Kempsville Lodge No. 196, A.F.&A.M., and a 32nd degree Mason in the Scottish Rite’s Valley of              Norfolk. He was a member of The Gideons International, Optimist International, National Rifle Assoc., American Legion, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc., and            American Mensa.  He was a past president of the Greater Tidewater Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers.

    Don was a born-again Christian believer and a faithful member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, in Suffolk, where he served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, on the Church Council, an Usher, and a Facilitator in the Sunday School.

    In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that a donation might be considered for the Ebenezer UMC Endowment Fund.  A Celebration of Life will be held at Ebenezer UMC, 1589 Steeple Drive, in Suffolk at 11;00 AM on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 with interment at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milner’s Road, Suffolk, VA.  Arrangements are being handled by R.W. Baker & Company Funeral Home, Suffolk Va.