Charles Bardwell (Chuck) Hawks |
| Posted 2008-10-12 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, October 09, 2008 Charles Bardwell Hawks passed away after a short illness in early September. He was born in Los Angeles in 1919 to Charles Bardwell Hawks Sr., DDS and Dorothy Hadley Hawks. He grew up in Alhambra, Calif., where he walked one mile to grammar school and four miles to high school. He began a life long love affair with the automobile by purchasing his first car at age 11. Rolling it into his parent's back yard, he took apart and put that car back together for years. While studying forestry and biological sciences at Pasadena Junior College, he was the youngest owner/manager of a Shell Oil station. Knowing that America might be called into battle for World War II, he joined the Army Air Corps in October 1941. Receiving his cadet training at Gardner Field in California, he was first in his class to solo. He attended advanced flying school at Luke Field. After receiving his First Lieutenant commission, Chuck became a basic flight instructor at Walnut Ridge, Ark. He instructed and flew with eight fighter cadets daily for over two years. He was transferred to Clovis, N.M. in 1944 and began training with his crew on the B-29 Superfortress. In March 1945 Chuck and crew flew their B-29 from Sacramento to the north field of Guam. As Aircraft Commander, Chuck flew 31 missions to Japan. As Flight Commander, Chuck was in charge of 110 men for 419 combat hours. His B-29 was named "City of Arcadia" in honor of Chuck's home at the time. He retired from the Air Force Reserves in 1963 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He continued to fly until he was 86 years old and built the last airplane he flew. In March 1943, Chuck married his sweetheart, Eleanor Mable Re, in Jonesboro, Ark. Their first son, James Hawks, was born while Chuck was serving at Guam. Their second son, Thomas Hawks, was born following WWII. Chuck and Eleanor had a chicken ranch for six years where they raised thousands of chickens and sold the eggs. After selling that property, they bought a farm in the vicinity of Chino, Calif., which they owned for 20 years. His specialties were Charlie's Sweet Corn and Beef. Theirs was one of the first farms in the area to sell produce from their own fruit and vegetable stand. Chuck traded his corn or labor to other farmers for watermelons, tomatoes and other items to sell. A hard worker, Chuck supplemented his ranching and farming income by working as a supervisor at California horse race tracks for 30 years. He worked at Santa Anita, Del Mar and other tracks and was a member of the Service Employees International Union. He rose early in the mornings to farm and then jumped on his motorcycle to head to the track. Following retirement in 1983, Chuck and Eleanor moved to Chino Valley, Ariz., where he built several solar powered homes. Aside from loving his family, flying and farming, Chuck loved boating. Every extra moment while living in California, he was either in or around the water. He built a home in Cardiff with a view of the ocean. He loved the water and that love influenced his son, Tom Hawks, to spend his own retirement years on the ocean. Chuck loved Tom's wife, Jackie Hawks, as a friend and daughter. After they were murdered in November 2004, his only comfort was the knowledge that Tom and Jackie had been living exactly as they wanted. They had embraced life. Chuck lost Eleanor in 1992. He is survived by his son, James Hawks, and his wife, Sandy, of Carlsbad, Calif.; two grandchildren, Ryan and Matt Hawks. Ryan is from Cardiff and Matt lives in Prescott with his wife, Nicole, and children, Jace and Gage. Another grandchild is Lynn Kelly and her husband, Adam, along with their children, Ryder and Landyn, of San Marcos, Calif. Another grandchild is Lee Anne McCollough and her husband, Pete, along with their son, Christian. Pete is a Marine currently stationed in North Carolina and will be leaving soon for Iraq. Chuck is also survived by his sister Helen Pentoney of New York, along with her children, Valerie, Grant, Kurt and their families. He was very proud of and felt much love for his family. Chuck is survived by his long-time companion, Nina Daugherty. Nina states, "I miss his delight in learning, love of gardening, kicking up dust clouds with the quad, the stimulating conversations, the toddy hour, the playful jokes, and his constant desire to do the best he could, no matter what his age. He never quit. He never gave up. He lived every moment until his last breath. In Chuck's papers I found a quote by Dean Alfange: 'I do not choose to be a common man. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, this I have done.' Bless you, Chuck Hawks. What you have done has been marvelous." For those wishing to make a donation in Chuck's name, he supported the Boy Scouts of America having earned Eagle Scout when he was 15. He also supported the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Air Museum in Britain. Information provided by survivors. |
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