John Hawker

JOHN HAWKER Click here to view John's Video Tribute IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Our Lord needed another angel, so John Hawker was called to heaven on June 9, 2010. John was 37 years old and passed away from Esophageal Cancer that he bravely fought for eighteen months. John leaves behind his wife Tracy (Bennett), his step-daughter, Alex Freeman (Miguel Huetron,) his beloved Jack Russell, Milo, his mother, Barbara Hawker Hale, sisters, Michelle (Bill Squires), Cindy Dillard(Bill Heinrich), Kerry (Jeff Hairston), brothers, Scott (Keri), Curtis (Soni), nieces and nephews, Chase and Adam Hawker, Taylor, Kaige and Kolsen Hawker, Shawn, Terry (Kourtney) and Scott (Heather) Hairston, Wyatt Squires, Leslie Hairston, Chelsie Dillard, and Shelby Squires. John was preceded in death by his father, Terry Hawker, his step father, Lou Hale, his Grandma & Grandpa Banta and his Grandma & Grandpa Hawker. John was the youngest of six siblings and was very close with his entire family. The Hawker family was very tight knit, and they will all miss their little brother. Much of his family was gathered around him, comforting him, and praying for him until the end. John adored his mother, Barbara. She helped him to become the great person he was. She was there for him from birth to the bitter end. Barbara spent many, many hours at his bedside being the best mother in the world to her youngest child. John was born February 25, 1973, in Rexburg. He spent the first few years of his life in Mud Lake on the family farm. John and family then moved to Idaho Falls, where he attended Gethsemane Baptist Church Elementary, Templeview Elementary, Eagle Rock Jr. High, and Skyline High School. Later he spent one year at Northwest Nazarene College. John worked at Melaleuca from 1992 until 2003. He worked in the plant and as a truck driver. In 2003 he started working for Ferguson Enterprises as a truck driver. It is at Fergusons that he found his niche, and the most caring and compassionate co-workers and bosses in the world. The Ferguson employees and friends helped John tremendously during his battle with cancer and they accommodated John's desire to work for the majority of his illness. John loved to golf and was so disappointed to not be able to enjoy it after he lost his ability to walk. Until he got cancer, he always got a season golf pass and loved to go out golfing with friends and family. He loved to go visit his sister Cindy and her husband Bill in Phoenix and golf with Bill. He cherished those visits. Camping was another favorite of John's. He spent many happy camping trips with his best friends and family. Even after his diagnosis, he was able to go several times this last summer. For years John threw darts in ldaho Falls leagues. He made many friends in his years with this hobby and loved to throw in tournaments until he got sick. He also enjoyed playing on a flag football league, bowling, and softball. John loved rock concerts. He was a hard rock junkie, and went to concerts whenever he could. He tried to see every one of his favorite rock bands and just about managed to see them all in the last couple of decades. John was a huge Denver Broncos fan. He loved them – win or lose! He collected everything Denver Broncos, and decorated his "man room" with as much of their stuff as he could. He took his wife Tracy to a game in Denver in 2007 and initiated her into his love for the team. John is known as one of the nicest people. He was easy going, and always had a grin on his face. He rarely was angry. John had friends wherever he went. John could go anywhere and walk into any store and know someone. John was a fun and genuine person who strived to treat everyone with respect and friendship. John was a good friend, a wonderful husband and step-dad, son-in-law, and a wonderful son, brother, and uncle. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. During his battle with cancer, John made many friends who were also fighting Esophageal Cancer. He became close to them communicating through his and their cancer blogs on www.Caringbridge.org, Facebook, e-mail, and telephone. I know they will miss their comrade in "The Fight." Any donations and tributes can be sent to www.Caringbridge.org, The American Cancer Society, or Hospice Alliance. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 14, 2010, at the Idaho Falls Calvary Chapel, 4520 South 25th East, with Associate Pastor Todd Pierce officiating. Visitation with the family will be held before the services from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Rebecca Peirsol itwif@ida.net So sorry about your loss. On behalf of everyone at Idaho Transmission, Western Transmission, & High Torque, we send our deepest sympathy. Michael & Heather Medema medemj1455@yahoo.com We are so sorry for your loss. John was a class act and one of a kind. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Michael & Heather Medema Shawn and Bonnie Marshall purplebkm@msn.com Tracy our hearts go out to you in this sad time. We will miss John greatly. Chris Peirsol My deepest condolences go out to your family during these difficult times. John was a tremendous guy and he will be greatly missed. Denice (Hall) Tea teas3@q.com I went to school with Curtis at West Jefferson and wanted him and the family to know that they are in my thoughts and prayers at the passing of John. Sue Smith and Margaret Smith So sorry we will not be able to be with you today. Our thoughts, prayers, and hugs are with all of you. You are all very special to us. Love to all, Sue , Margaret, Dana, Laurie, and Rosella Ramona Ammons angel1943@q.com Sweet Barbara, How I love you and think of you often. I am so sorry to hear about John. I know it will be a great loss to you and your family. I can't make it up there but know that my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time. What a beautiful tribute in the paper for John. I know he must have been very special to all of you. Sincerely and with all my love. Ramona Ammons Wallace & Shauna Cummings Wish we could be there to help remember, but circumstances prevent that, being in the Philippine Islands. John was a great neighbor on Beverly Road. He always went out of his way to say HI when he saw us. He will be missed by our family. Our prayers are with your family. The Cummings Bonnie Wood bonbo@aol.com All of the Hawker family...You are in my thoughts and prayers. I love all of you and am heartbroken for you. God Bless. Michelle Hilton stardreamer_042000@yahoo.com My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Amie Metcalf-Hoagland I'm so sorry for your loss. After recently having a child of my own, I can't imagine the heartache you're feeling after 37 years of love. John and I attended Templeview all the way through graduation. I'd forgotten that he always seemed to have a smile on his face, almost like he knew something that I didn't know. My deepest sympathies to you all. Brandi L Onken dietpepsiandme34@yahoo.com I am so sorry to hear about John. The family is in my prayers. I haven't seen him since high school but his pictures look just like him! I do remember however, he was always just a real nice guy! :) Tedina "Teddy" Mains abbykattykat@msn.com It seems like just yesterday, I was going home with Kerry. I always thought her little brothers were so darn cute, & wished I had one. I always admired how the Hawker family were so full of love for each other, which was always evident. I would like to send my sincere condolences to the entire family of John. I hope you will find comfort from each other in this time of need, & in the knowledge that you & John are being thought of with love from all your friends. May God bless you with happy memories to confort & help to heal your loss. Please let us know, if we can do anything. Tedina "Vadnais" Mains & Family - Bill & Tedina, Clyst (Mike), LT - (Vanessa) (Baylie) (Kaleb). Bill Potter The last I recall of John was when he was still in diapers. You all have my deepest sympathy. Cosette Landon Barbara, so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Cozy Stacey Steele steele5@fairpoint.net I am so sad to hear about John. He was the nicest person, always happy and smiling. I will always remember how kind he was to Bill and me all those times we intruded on he and his mother. Bill always was very fond of John and enjoyed seeing him. Our family will continue to keep you all in our prayers, and send you all of our love. Bill Heinrich billheinrich@mac.com My golf group spent some time today on the 1st tee to remember John. We all talked about his easy going attitude and his absolute love of golf. I am going to miss you and especially miss playing golf with you, John. Bill Heinrich valerie thompson rivers840@comcast.net My deepest condolences to the Hawker family during this difficult time. May each of you find comfort in knowing that God is "near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves." (Psalm 34;18) He has promised to soon "swallow up death forever . . . and wipe the tears from all faces." (Isaiah 25;8) Take care. Lynett Westergard Lynett_westergard@yahoo.com We are so sorry about your loss, we know that John's struggle with cancer was so hard on him and your family. Please let us know if there's anything we can do. Lynett (Westergard), Chris, Michael Gibson Kay Merrell & Ernie Lewis Tracy, we are so sorry to hear of John's passing. You and your family are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. May God bless and comfort you. Glen & Joan Peterson glenandjoan@cableone.net We love you Barb. Glen and Joan