John Wyatt Hawkins

John Wyatt Hawkins, "W4MEP", 91, a long-time resident of Cleveland passed away Monday, June 15, 2009 in a local healthcare facility. He was a member of the congregation of the United Christian Church. He was also a member of the Cleveland Masonic Lodge. He was retired from TRANSCO in Houston, TX where he was a microwave engineer. He held the highest FCC license issued by the United States government. He helped track the Russian Sputnik for the United States. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol in Calhoun County, AL and was the Southeast Director for MARS. He was also a testing official for the Cleveland Amateur Radio Club and former court bailiff in the Bradley County Sheriffs Department. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel S. Hawkins and Gypsy Ragland Hawkins; two sisters, Charlotte Frances Hawkins and Alice Irma Rogers; and one brother, Robert Hawkins. He is survived by his wife of 70 years and 8 months, Talma Hyde Hawkins of Cleveland; children, Charlotte Colley of Cleveland, Connie Short and husband, Thomas Edward of Fyffe, AL and Candy Cross and husband, Boots of Athens; seven grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastor James Kent officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Cemetery with Jake Fowler, Jake Fowler II, Matthew Welch, Luke Austin Kennedy, Daniel Welch and Boots Cross serving as pallbearers. Russell Wyatt Short will serve as an honorary pallbearer. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 from 6:00?8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Hawkins family guest book at www.ralphbuckner.com