We are saddened to report that Mr. John R. Hawkins passed away Wednesday,
October 10th. He was 85 years old.

Mr. John R. Hawkins was an agricultural education teacher for 42 years at
both Lincolnton and Lincoln County High School. During this time, 17 of his
students became either ag teachers or county extension agents.  Mr. Hawkins
had 35 state winning CDE teams during his career and five students who
became State FFA officers. He was also named Lincolnton High School Teacher
of the Year five times during his career. Mr. Hawkins' students also
dominated local and area livestock shows during his career .

Mr. Hawkins served as GVATA president, and during his years of service he
worked with state leaders to strengthen the teacher retirement system and
state merit insurance program for all Georgia  teachers. He was a receipent
of the Honorary American FFA degree and a member of the Agricultural
Education Hall of Fame. Since his retirement from teaching, he became a
successful real estate agent.

Mr. Hawkins was a member of the Lincolnton United Methodist Church where he
taught Sunday School for 52 years.

Arrangements are being handled by Rees Funeral Home in Lincolnton, Georgia,
706-359-3222. There is no scheduled visitation as Mr. Hawkins requested
that his body be donated to the Medical College of Georgia. The service is
to be held on Sunday, October 21, 2007, at the Lincolnton United Methodist
Church at 2:00 pm.

Mr. Hawkins' wishes were for past and present FFA members to serve as
honorary pall bearers. They should meet at 1:30 pm.



Renee M. Lozano
North Region Agricultural Education
204 Four Towers, University of Georgia
Athens, GA  30602
Office: 706-542-3679
Fax: 706-542-9602
Email:  [log in to unmask]