JOHN PATRICK HAWKINS, affectionately known as "Big Daddy H", 57, of Rio Frio, Texas, tragically passed away January 25, 2022, in a motor vehicle accident in Uvalde County.

John was born in Houston, Texas, to Donald Lawrence Hawkins and Dorothy Ruth (Edwards) Hawkins.  He was recently happily married and is survived by his wife Alisha Hawkins of Rio Frio, Texas; his daughters, Erin Elizabeth Hawkins, Amanda Lynn Hawkins, and Kathryn Michelle Hawkins; and his grandson, Ethan Christopher Wills of Cypress, Texas. John was an outstanding stepfather to Alisha's children, Kristian Osteen of Conroe, Texas, Jonathan Osteen of Boynton Beach, Florida, Ashlyn Hammonds of Tomball, Texas, Alyssa Hammonds of Rio Frio, Texas, and Jacob Hammonds of Rio Frio, Texas. In addition to his mother, Dorothy, John is also survived by his sisters, Jill Hawkins of Houston, Texas, and Devon Hawkins, of Clear Lake, Texas; his nieces, Stephanie Voss of San Antonio, Texas, and Maia Hawkins of Los Angeles, California; and his former wife, Maggie Hawkins of Cypress, Texas. John was preceded in death by his father, Donald, and his brother, Michael Hawkins.

John graduated from James Madison High School in Houston, Texas, in 1982, and attended Houston Community College.  John originally was a Firefighter with the Houston Volunteer Fire Department and served the Cy-Fair community as a volunteer firefighter in various roles including Deputy Chief for 31 years.  He was currently proudly serving at Station 4 at the Cy-Fair Fire Department in Northwest Harris County.  John Hawkins worked for ThyssenKrupp Elevator Americas where he began his career in 1982 as a Helper and became the youngest Mechanic in America in 1985. He has worked through many titles including Mechanic, Repair Supervisor, Service Supervisor, Operations Manager, and in 2016 he became a Regional Trainer/Adjustor.

John and Alisha had just completed building their dream home in Rio Frio in the beautiful Texas Hill Country in Real County.  John loved living on their five acres, feeding the deer, power washing the porches, cutting wood, and plotting the next project for their property. He enjoyed the companionship of their five dogs and could be found on the back porch watching the sunset from his folding chair while having a cigar and a beer listening to his songs on repeat. John was an avid weightlifter, Aggie football, and Astros baseball fan, and shared his opinions about both with anyone who would listen. His prodigious laugh was as contagious as it was loud and boisterous.  He was often heard to say he was living his best life in the Hill Country and sharing his pride for his wife, his beautiful and talented daughters, and the laughter and good times he enjoyed with his stepchildren. A man who was larger than life, he had a heart to match and is terribly missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 2, at Community of Faith Church, 16144 Becker Road, Hockley, TX 77447. Friends may gather at the church to visit with the family beginning at 10 a.m. Respecting his known wishes, John will be cremated following the service and interred at his Iron Horse homestead in Rio Frio, Texas.