HAWKINS, Thomas Alva (Alvie)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 08/06/2013 Thomas Alva “Alvie” Hawkins, 88, was called home to the Lord Sunday, July 29, 2013, surrounded by his wife and children. Alva was born May 1, 1925, to Lee and Zella Hawkins in Olustee, Okla. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1943, where he served in the South Pacific for over two years as an infantryman. After the war ended, Alva attended Southwestern State Teachers College in Weatherford, Okla., and played on the Collegiate Conference Championship football team of 1950 and earned a Bachelor’s of Education degree in 1951, and also a master’s degree in 1962. Alva taught and coached in Mangum, Okla., from 1951-61 and eventually settled in Coolidge in 1961. He taught and coached in Coolidge for over 28 years. He coached back-to-back football state championships in 1967 and 1968 with a 24-game winning streak, and one track state championship in 1969. He was selected as the 1967 Class “A” All-Star football coach and was awarded with Class “A” South Coach of the Year honors for the 1968 and 1971-72 football seasons. Alva was also awarded with the Tucson Conquistadores Team of the Year award in 1969. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Merna Hawkins; three sons; one daughter; 10 wonderful grandchildren and 35 beautiful great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two granddaughters. Services were held Aug. 3 at the Coolidge High School Performing Arts Center, 684 W. Northern Ave., Coolidge, AZ 85128. Heritage Coolidge Funeral Home, 410 W. Roosevelt Ave. in Coolidge, handled arrangements.