Sr. Oren Dale "Hawk" Hawkins

Feb. 7, 1928 - Oct. 26, 2012

Oren Dale "Hawk" Hawkins, Sr., 84, of Statesville, passed away on Friday, October 26, 2012 at Gordon Hospice House. He was born in Stokes County to the late Everette and Hallie Joyce Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins was the superintendent of Lake Norman State Park (formerly Duke Power State Park) from its conception until his retirement. He served our country honorably as a decorated Korean War veteran and was a loving husband, father, grandfather and public servant who resonated the Andy Griffin lifestyle. He was also an avid fox hunter and hound breeder. He is survived by his sons, Keith Eugene (Pat) Hawkins of Hickory Grove, SC and Oren Dale (Renee) Hawkins, Jr. of Troutman; his daughter, Vanessa Hawkins (Alan) Horne of Statesville; a sister, Lois Priddy of Danbury; a brother, Jack Hawkins of Sandy Ridge; six grandchildren, Heather (David) Hughes, Hannah (Preston) Taylor, Marie Adams, Stephanie (John) Mandarini, Kenny (Molly) Clark and Cara Nesa Cole; and nine great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy Neil Hill Hawkins; two sisters, Polly Priddy and Peggy Hawkins; and a brother, James Hawkins. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, from 11-12:00 p.m. at Troutman Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 p.m. in the Troutman Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Troutman, Chaplin Sharon Stone and granddaughter Cara Nesa Cole officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service at Iredell Memorial Gardens. The family has requested memorials be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd, Statesville, NC 28625.