Jerrel Raymond Hawkins "Hawk" (Jerry), age 89, of Lexington, MO, went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his family on February 14, 2018. Funeral services will be at 1:00pm Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Walker Nadler Fuller Funeral Home, Lexington. Visitation will be on Saturday at the funeral home from 12:00pm until service time. Burial with military honors will be at the Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Grain Valley, MO.
Jerrel was born January 3, 1929 in KCMO to Asel Floyd and Nettie (Haney) Hawkins. He married Allie Geneva "Jeannie" Carter January 24, 1955 in Kansas City. Jerry was a gunner's mate on the USS Huntington and earned a Victory medal while serving his country during World War II in the Navy. Jerry has a brick of honor placed in front of Liberty Memorial in KCMO.
Jerry was member of the Operating Engineers Local 13 and served as a crane operator in LA, CA. He owned J&B Cycles in Torrance, CA. Jerry was sales manager for Engle Motors in KCMO for 20 years before retiring to care for his beloved wife who had Alzheimer's.
Jerry was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, and a charter life member of AMA. Jerry held the speed record for a wheelie at 72 miles an hour in the quarter mile. He competed in hair scrambles and TT's, earning many awards and trophies. Jerry was featured in Wide World of Sports riding a wheelie away from the camera, as an intro to the series. He also provided entertainment at Ascott Park Speedway in Gardena, CA and the Sacramento Mile in Sacramento, CA in 1964.
In his later years he rode dirt bikes in Chadwick, MO with family and friends. Jerry was a great motorcycle mechanic and used his experience to repair vintage motorcycles in his garage.
Survivors include his children, Linda Klaybunde (Larry), Bennington, NE, Jerrel Hawkins, Jr (Ksenia) Gettysburg, PA, Jerrel Ray Hawkins, Lexington, Cheryl Turner (Steve), Lexington, Connie Jolly (Carlos) Higginsville and Bobby Madore (Debbie), CA; brother Richard Hawkins of Joplin; sisters, Eva Erwin, GA, Blanche Kinnevan, Blue Springs; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and sisters Louise and Adel.