Posted on 03/31/2020
John Braddock Hawkins, Jr. (June 4, 1945 - March 29, 2020)
Commander John Braddock Hawkins, Jr., USN (Ret.), passed away on 29 March 2020 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
“Brad” was born in Kinston, North Carolina on 04 June 1945 to Aviation Machinist Mate Chief J.B. and Norma Lee Hawkins. Both Brad and his brother earned their wings as Naval Flight Officers and retired as Navy Commanders.
He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1965 and graduated with the 11th Company in 1969.After graduation, he earned his wings of gold as an NFO. He was then “stashed” in VT-23 at NAS Kingsville, Texas flying TF-9’s and TA-4’s.
From there he went to VRF-31 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia flying 13 aircraft types including jets, props, and helicopters as either a copilot or navigator. He then went to VA-176 at NAS Oceana, Virginia flying A-6’s and made two Mediterranean cruises on the USS America. After VA-176, he moved across the parking lot to the instrument training/east coast aggressor squadron, VF-43, flying T-A4’s, T-38’s and T-2’s. From there it was back to VRF-31 flying 7 aircraft types. He moved up to the COMTACSUPWING Staff as Operations and Plans Officer. While there he qualified as the first NFO in the US to be designated as a copilot in C-12 aircraft which he flew until retirement five years later. After, he was Safety Department Head on the USS John F Kennedy.
His final tour was as Chief of Staff for the Nuclear Weapons Training Group. After retirement Brad was hired as a First Officer flying DASH 8 aircraft from US Air.
After retirement, he remained active through volunteer work in the community. These activities included Vestry and Senior Warden at church, and Virginia Beach Neptune Festival Parade committee. His last paid position was working at VB National golf course. He is most proud of his wife who stuck with him for 50 years, his kids and grandkids, his brother, and his parents.
Brad is survived by his wife, Jerry; daughter, Amy and husband, James with granddaughter, Emerson and grandson, Rylan; daughter, Kelly and husband, Paul with grandsons, Jackson and Mason; and brother, Ernest and wife, Edie. He was predeceased by his sister, Cheryl.
A memorial service will be held at Galilee Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The time and day of the service will be determined and announced at a later date. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Princess Anne Chapel is assisting the family.
Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel
1457 Independence Blvd
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: 757-464-6221
https://www.hollomon-brown.com/obituaries/John-Braddock-Hawkins-Jr?obId=12559174#/obituaryInfo