Lifelong McCleary resident Frank Thomas “Deacon Tom” Hawkins III passed away peacefully at his home in McCleary on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. Tom was born Oct. 21, 1942, in Olympia, Washington to Frank and Lucille Hawkins Jr.
Tom graduated from Elma High School in 1961.
In 1966, Tom married Sadie Esquibel at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Stockton, California. She survives him at the family home.
Tom proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
He had worked for Simpson Door for many years.
In 1989, Deacon Tom was ordained as Permanent Deacon for the Catholic Church, a position which he held for 31 years. He had also volunteered as Chaplain for the Washington State Patrol/Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, VFW, McCleary Fire Department and Department of Corrections. He was a member of the McCleary Fire Department and the McCleary Ambulance. Tom was a member of the VFW, the Knights of Columbus and the Montesano Ministerial Association. Deacon Tom touched many people’s lives.
In their spare time Tom and Sadie enjoyed traveling and spending time with their family.
In addition to his loving wife Sadie, he is also survived by two daughters: Monica Baker of Olympia, Washington and Julie Swanson of Coupeville, Washington; brother Bruce Hawkins of Carefree, Arizona, sister Patricia Lowe of Othello, Washington; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.
Recitation of the Rosary will take place at 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, at St. John Catholic Church in Montesano and a funeral Mass is set for 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elma. Due to COVID-19 current restrictions, seating will be very limited. However, a video link will be provided no later than Sunday evening for anyone wishing to view the celebration of life for Deacon Tom.
The family requests that any donations be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elma in his memory.
To share memories or to sign the online guest book please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen.
