James J. Hawkins

Jim Hawkins, 66, died on June 11, 2006, at his home in Plano, Texas.

Born February 23, 1940 in Ashley he was a son of Donald and Jean Hawkins.

Jim earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from King’s College in 1961 and married his college sweetheart, Ann Shovlin, in Wilkes-Barre.

Jim was a businessman who started his sales career in the early days of what was to become the high-tech revolution. Initially working for Burroughs Business Machines in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Connecticut, he moved to Texas with the Office Products Division of Xerox and later, was in charge of sales for the first voice mail company, VMX. He retired from Pinpoint Research in January.

Jim’s great gift was to help people achieve and be the most they could be. He had the unique quality of always asking the right questions and getting to the nub of a problem.

Jim was a proud 4th Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus and shared Ann’s love for growing flowers and plants.

His brother Edward preceded him in death.

He is survived and will be missed by his wife Ann, his children: Jim and Ellen Hawkins of Cypress, TX, Katie and Rick Hartig of Orlando, and Suzie Hawkins of Addison, TX; his five grandchildren: Jimmy, Danny and Susie Hawkins and Bridget and Max Hartig; his sisters, Mary Ann Kovalcik of Alexandria, VA and Janie Avis of Sewell, NJ, his brother Don of Bethesda, MD and myriad nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.

Jim Hawkins is deeply loved and will be greatly missed, but will not be forgotten and will always be in the hearts of his family and friends.

A Vigil and funeral mass were celebrated at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano.

Funeral will be held Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at 8:30 AM from the M.J. McLaughlin Company with graveside services to be celebrated at 9:00 am in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Friends may call on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 from 5 to 7 PM.

The family is very grateful to the doctors at MD Anderson Cancer Center under the direction of Robert A. Wolff, M.D., for care which provided an extended lifespan and increased quality of life in Jim’s long battle with pancreatic cancer. Thanks also go to Dr. Robert Kirby and the staff of the North Texas Regional Cancer Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be sent to MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Holcomb Blvd. Unit 426, Houston, TX 77030, ATTN: Dr. Robert Wolff M.D.