Frederick E. Hawkins

Frederick E. Hawkins, born September 3, 1923 - passed away on December 6, 2014, in Sebring, Florida. He was born and raised in Antioch, IL, where he remained until attending college at the University of Illinois. While attending college he was drafted for World War II. He served in the Army in Europe until being discharged in 1946. Upon his discharge he returned to El Paso, Texas, where he had taken his basic training, to attend the Texas College of Mines (now the University of Texas at El Paso). Being in El Paso allowed him to pursue his great passion of playing golf. Fred turned Golf Professional in 1947 and remained so his entire adult life. He played 19 years on the PGA tour, winning two titles, finishing second 27 times, and third 19 times. He was runner-up to Arnold Palmer in the 1958 Masters and lost a playoff to Ben Hogan in the 1959 Colonial. His best moment in golf was being on the 1957 Ryder Cup Team. He was also elected to serve on the Executive Committee in 1956 of the PGA of America. Upon leaving the PGA Tour in 1965 Fred worked for the Arnold Palmer Corporation. Following this he was head golf professional at Olympia Fields Country Club in Chicago. After a period of time as a teaching professional Fred helped develop the Senior PGA Tour (now the Champions Tour) playing from 1980 until 1991. Fred's other great passion was his wife Nancy. Fred and Nancy were married in 1979 and they enjoyed 35 years of marriage together. Fred is survived by his wife Nancy and his two sons, Joe (wife Margaret) and Tom (wife Cecilia) as well as three step-sons, Bill Craig (wife Vickie), Mike Craig (wife Jane) and Dr. Dan Barth (wife Neka). Additionally he is survived by eight grandchildren, Lorig, Sibley, Larry, Jon, Stefanie, Chrissy, Joe, Iain, five great-grandchildren, and a sister, Hazel Overton. He is preceded in death by his step-daughter, Kim. Fred was very fortunate to have Nancy's sister, Diane Kramer as part of the home team these last few years. In lieu of any flowers or a service, donations to your local Cancer Society or Wounded Veteran's Fund were charities Fred supported. Arrangements entrusted to: Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home (863) 385-0125 Online condolences may be left at: www.stephensonnelsonfh.com