Frederick W. Hawks

Funeral services for Frederick W. Hawks will be held Saturday, November 27, 2004 at 2:30 pm in the Chapman-Black Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Rev. Joe Stith. Private burial will be held at Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Inc.

Fred Hawks a resident of Tulsa was born February 11, 1917 in Warren Plains, North Carolina to Linton C. and Mary Louise (Hawks) Hawkes. Fred grew up and received his education in Warrenton, North Carolina where he graduated in 1935. Soon after his graduation Fred entered the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Fred worked about two years in the District Supply Office in Fort Bragg as a typist and file clerk. The last year while in the CCC, was spent in California, at the Reforestation Camp as the Company Clerk.

In 1940 Fred entered the United States Army Air Corps. Fred was apart of the 26th Squadron of the 11th Bomber Group of the 7th Air Force stationed initially at the Hawaiian Air Depot at Hickam Field. Fred is a survivor of the infamous attack that occurred on December 7, 1941 ìPearl Harborî. While at Hickam Field, Fred worked on B-18ís, A-17ís and the A-9ís. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Fred was ordered to Mosuioh, England with the 466th Bomber Group of the 8th Air Force. After transferring to England during World War II he mostly worked on B-24ís and the Air Forces four engine heavy bombers. While in the military Fred was awarded the following medals: American Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star; Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Medal with one Bonze Service Star; Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater Campaign Medal (EAMET) and the Good Conduct Medal.

After his return from World War II in August of 1945 Fred began working as a photographer. He soon reenlisted into the military and went to school in Denver, Colorado and took courses in color photography and the development of Ansco and Kodak color film. He was also in charge at night and on weekends as chief projectionist in the Post Theatre. In January of 1947 till January of 1949 Fred was a teletype operator in the group operations office for the aircraft in Smyrna, Tennessee. He was also the typist in the office of the Air Corps Supply Depot as well as the chief projectionist at the new theatre in town of Smyrna that had just opened.

In May of 1950 Fred moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he worked for Avco Manufacturing Corporations at that facility they manufactured airplane structures, home appliances and plow parts. On September of 1953 Fred moved to Lawton, Oklahoma due to his sonís condition that required a dryer climate. He accepted employment with Spartan Aeronautics at the Army Flight School. Fred was the lead man of a crew of four which performed intermediate and major inspection of the Cessna 195, Jacobs R-755 and the DeHaviland Beaver.

In 1955 Fred joined American Airlines in the maintenance center. On March 28, 1958 he was united in marriage to Marie (Hardy) in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. They made their initial home Tulsa. They moved to Cleveland for a short time but later returned to Tulsa. Fred retired from American Airlines in 1980 after 25 years of service as a Senior Mechanic. Fred was also a member of the Veterans of Pearl Harborís Last Manís Club.

Fred passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2004 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 87 years 9 months and 12 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Catherine Bullock, adopted son Victor as well as an infant son.

Survived by his wife of over 46 years Marie of the home; one daughter, Priscilla Helvie and her husband Pat of Cleveland, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Josh, Becca, Sarah, Rachel, Erica, Jack, one great granddaughter Caitlyn and numerous other friends and relatives.

ìVisit an online obituary and guestbook for Fred Hawks at www.chapman-black.com