Ronald Dean Hawkins, Sr.
 

Ronald Dean Hawkins, Sr., 57, passed away in Oceanside on January 25, 2010, after a long battle with heart disease. He was born in Coronado on December 20, 1952, to James Johnson Hawkins, Jr. (SCPO, USN, Ret.) and Diane Louise (Hoaglan) Hawkins.

Ron’s early years were spent moving with his US Navy family to various duty stations, including the Philippines, Hawaii, Norfolk and Pt. Mugu. He graduated from Newbury Park High School in 1970.

He then enlisted in the Navy, serving aboard the USS Henry B. Wilson, USS Enterprise, USS Iowa, USS Nimitz, USS Okinawa and USS Denver before his retirement in 1997, having attained the rank of Master Chief Master-at-Arms.

Highlights of his 27-year naval career included being a member of the re-commissioning crew for the third commissioning of the USS Iowa, serving in the presidential security detail for President Ronald Reagan during Liberty Weekend in New York in 1986, and serving as the first police chief and senior enlisted advisor when the naval security force was formed at the Fallbrook Naval Weapons Station in 1988.

Military decorations and awards included the Navy Achievement Medal w/1 gold star; Meritorious Unit Commendation w/3 bronze stars; Navy Unit Commendation; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/1 bronze star; Navy "E" Ribbon, 7 awards; National Defense Service Medal w/1 bronze star; Good Conduct Medal, 5 awards; Vietnam Service Medal w/1 silver star; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/3 bronze stars; Pistol Expert Medal; and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia.

Ron received his bachelor’s degree in 2002, graduating with honors from California State University, San Marcos, where he was active in the American Indian Student Alliance.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW, a member of the American Library Association, a member and officer of the American Indian Warriors Association, active in the San Diego County Native American community and "known for playing a killer air guitar."

Ron was preceded by his father in 1993. He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Leslie Hawkins of Fallbrook; mother Diane of Lebanon, OR; brother Jay (CPO, USN, Ret.) and sister-in-law Victoria Hawkins of Grapevine, TX; children David Bailey of Tacoma, WA, Diana Holland of Temecula, Ron Hawkins, Jr. of Fallbrook, Michael Hawkins of San Marcos and Amanda Hawkins of Fallbrook; son- and daughters-in-law Sean Holland, Leah Hawkins and Rocio Hawkins; nephew Scott Hawkins and nieces Leslie Marin and Meredith Hawkins; grandchildren Wesley, Joshua and Ashley Holland and Mikaela, Riley and Devin Hawkins; and many extended family members.

Memorial with full military honors will be held Friday, February 12, at 10:30 a.m. at Berry-Bell & Hall Mortuary in Fallbrook. Internment will take place Monday, February 15, at 12:30 p.m. at Fort Rosecrans.