Mike Hawkins and Anne Brooke Hawkins
Michael Clary Hawkins – 1940-2011
Michael was born to Ervin Hawkins and Jane Clary Hawkins in Chicago Illinois on October 5th 1940. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor on August 31st, 2011, his life was rapidly taken on October 8th, 2011.
He graduated from Culver Military Academy in Indiana where he was captain of the Black Horse Troop, leading the inaugural parade of President Eisenhower. He excelled in sports and broke several swimming records. He received his BA in business from Claremont Men’s College in Claremont California. While attending college, Michael worked three jobs to provide for his new family. One of those jobs was service station attendant at a Chevron Oil gas station. Michael quickly became manager of that station then moved on to a district manager position.
After graduation, Michael was hired by Exxon USA and held upper management positions in marketing, dealer and distributor support, and US site selection. After working through the upper ranks at Exxon, he decided to pass on his next promotion which was to take him and his family to Exxon’s Houston, Texas headquarters.
In 1976, he purchased Olympic Petroleum, an existing oil distributorship based in Medford. Through hard work and a heart of gold, he grew this company to be one of the largest Exxon distributors on the west coast. Michael always gave. In 1985, he served as Director of the Petroleum Marketers Association of America. In 1992, he was General Chairman of the Pacific Oil Conference and served on their Board of Directors through 1994. He served as President of the Oregon Petroleum Marketers Association in 1999, and in 2003 received the coveted Diamond Pin Award for Exceptional Service to the Independent Petroleum Industry. In 2003, he sold the majority of Hawk Oil Company and renamed the remaining holding company Hawk Northwest. He continued to manage properties and investments during his “semi-retirement,” and was able to offer welcomed business advice to his three sons as they continued their own businesses.
He leaves his brother Steve (Lori) along with three sons, David (Sue), Tom, and Dan (Rhonda) with great pride in their accomplishments. There are seven grandchildren, whom he cherished, Amanda, Cara, Lily, Justin, Claire, Ben and Noah. He leaves his wife, Anne Brooke Hawkins as well, whom he devoted such incredible support to, in her nursing and art careers. His life was made complete with a community of friends who were truly family.
In lieu of flowers, we hope you will consider making a donation in his honor to the two organizations he supported the most: St. Mary’s, knowing the importance of education, and The Britt Festivals, because you have to have music.
A celebration of his life for family and friends will be held on October 23, 2011, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the U.S. Ballroom in Jacksonville, Ore.