We have so many things to be thankful for; a dutiful husband, a great dad, and a best friend.
James Hawkins Jr. was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 14, 1943, to James Willie Hawkins, Sr. and Willie Lou Henderson. James had an adventurous childhood, in which he spent much of his time with his grandmother Minnie Hill. James moved to Berkeley, California, at the age of 13 with his mother and stepfather Joe Cartwright. He graduated from Berkeley High School in 1961. After high school, James enrolled in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Quartermaster until 1965. James would later earn an associate degree from Laney College in Oakland, California.
In 1965, James met Jacqueline Brantley of Elizabeth, New Jersey. They would marry in 1966 and reside in Oakland, California. They welcomed their first child, Carlette, in 1967 and a son James Danon in 1976. In 1977, the family moved to San Diego where James was employed as a computer technician for Teledyne-Ryan Company for 19 years. He later worked as a Senior Computer Operations Specialist for Sherikon Inc., Solar Turbines, and Caterpillar Inc. James would retire in 2008.
He loved spending time with his cousin Duria Henderson, fishing, and watching his beloved Las Vegas Raiders. James also enjoyed traveling and spending time with his three grandchildren. James was a member of Meridian Southern Baptist Church in El Cajon, California.
James departed from this world on February 9, 2024.
James was preceded in death by his father James Willie Hawkins, Sr., his mother Willie Lou Henderson, his brothers; Edmond Keeton, Greg Keeton, Ronald Keeton, and Billie Keeton, and his son-in-law Charles L. Lewis, III.
Left to celebrate his life is his cherished wife of 57 years, Jacqueline Hawkins, his two children; Carlette Lewis of El Cajon, California, and his son James Danon of Charlotte, North Carolina, daughter-in-law Dr.Shana X. Crawford Hawkins, three grandchildren; Xavier (16), Brantley (12), and Danon (8), and an endless amount of extended family and friends.
