Grover Hankins Obituary

GROVER GLENN HANKINS Nov. 18, 1940 - April 4, 2009 Grover Glenn Hankins was born in Waukegan, Illinois on November 18, 1940 to the late Andrew and Julia Mae Hankins and passed into eternal rest on April 4, 2009. After his early education in Waukegan schools, he later graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois, College of Law, Champaign, Illinois. Grover's legal career spanned over 36 years and his clients have been awarded millions of dollars in actions involving products liability, personal injury, employment and toxic and environmental law, among others. A national leader in the field of Environmental Justice, Grover was committed to protecting the rights of all Americans. Grover is formerly the National General Counsel for the NAACP, where he headed litigation for the Association, which included complex school desegregation, voting rights, employment discrimination and housing discrimination cases. He served for five years as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice in the Civil Rights Division Employment Section litigating nationwide class action employment discrimination cases. Subsequently, for six years, he prosecuted complex organized crime cases with the Justice Criminal Division Organized Crime and Racketeering Strike Force in Kansas City, Missouri. Grover then practiced for four years with a small general practice firm where his litigation portfolio included one of the first ever environmental justice cases in 1982. Grover left this firm to be become National NAACP General Counsel and was later appointed Principal Deputy General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services under Secretary Louis Sullivan. Upon leaving DHHS, Grover was honored to be named Distinguished Visiting Professor at Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University, where he taught environmental law and trial advocacy, and headed a nationally-acclaimed environmental justice clinic for ten years. Grover was a national lecturer on both civil rights and environmental justice issues and published numerous articles on these topics. At the time of his death, Grover was managing partner of his Houston-based law firm where he continued his passion for protecting the Constitutional rights of not just the disadvantaged and disenfranchised, but all Americans. Grover was an accomplished athlete and an avid sports fan. He ran fourteen marathons including the Boston Marathon and continued running throughout his life. He played football in college and took particular pride in his brother's, children's, grandchildren, nephews and stepchildren's athletic endeavors. Grover, who was a repository of sports trivia, was a UCLA Bruin football fan to the end and wasn't often seen not wearing some UCLA gear, and was usually in full regalia! Grover's extended sports family spanned Little League, AAU, Clear Creek High School, UCLA and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also LOVED "Da' Bears!" Grover was a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Rho Beta Beta Chapter, and generously supported many charitable and civic organizations including the Sickle Cell Association of the Texas Gulf Coast, the Gulf Coast Apollo Chapter of the Links, Incorporated and several Houston-area arts organizations. He was an avid collector of African art and artifacts and was proud to share his collections with family, friends and the general public. Grover leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife and best friend, Lorna; brother, Dr. Andrew J. Hankins, Jr., M.D. (Margaret, deceased); children, Karla Williams, Kelly Hankins, Brett (Donna) and Stacy Piggot (John); stepchildren, Jennifer, Bruce and Ian Davis; grandchildren Ryan Craddock, Erik Williams, Mario Williams, Maya Hankins, Samuel Hankins, Brittni Samuel and Alexander Smith; nephew Corbin Hankins (Anna), niece Andrea Hankins and a host of family, friends, colleagues and clients. Many thanks to the wonderful medical staff of M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston who cared for Grover during this final journey and a very special thank you to a special friend and doctor, Dr. William O. Lee, M.D. Grover Hankins will be laid to rest on Thursday, April 9, 2007 at 10 AM, at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler, Houston, TX 77004, with Reverend Marcus D. Cosby officiating. A viewing will preceed the service at 9 AM. Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery, League City, TX. Arrangements courtesy of McCoy & Harrison Funeral Home, 4918 Martin Luther King Blvd., Houston, TX 77021.

Published by Houston Chronicle on Apr. 8, 2009.
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Memories and Condolences
for Grover Hankins

Not sure what to say?





Still...

April 1, 2011

Remembering ValentineGrams, unconditional love and YOU. Happy 15.

February 12, 2011

Happy 70th birthday! I know you're celebrating I
Heaven. I miss you and I love you.
Always and All Ways

November 18, 2010

I am a former student of "Professor G" who just recently found out about his untimely passing. I am greatly saddened and extend my deepest condolences to his family and all who cherished him. May we all find comfort in knowing that he touched our lives. Rest in peace my friend.
Troy Horton

July 16, 2010

Rest in peace, baby. I love you.

May 9, 2010

Forever, ever and ever, Amen.

May 7, 2010

I will love you forever and ever, Amen.

May 4, 2010

Kelly Hankins

March 23, 2010

Hi Daddy,

I still say hello to you every single day. I miss you and love you very much. I know you are still here with us in spirit, but the emptiness of not having you physically present can never be filled. I love you so much Daddy! I know God is taking good care of you..

Kelly Hankins

March 23, 2010

YOU...all ways and always. Happy Valentine's Day.

February 14, 2010

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I contacted Mr. Hankins several years ago regarding our common ancestry heritage and ancestry documents.

God bless you all.

Karen Croom

January 5, 2010

Happy almost birthday, G Masta!

November 17, 2009

June 21, 2009

June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day, Grover. The children are a testament to your love and selflessness. Rest knowing that they are better for your patience, your guidance and your insistence on excellence in all that they pursued. Our hearts are broken but joy spills forth because you loved us and taught us by example that we could fly if we simply looked toward the Heavens and trusted Him.
Until we see you again we will honor your memory with an unwavering faith that in God all things are, indeed, possible.

Yours Forever

June 21, 2009

Two months now and my heart aches even more for you. I miss your smile, your strength, your love, but I thank God for the gift that was YOU.

Yours Forever

June 4, 2009

Grover we still can't believe that you have left us but we rejoice knowing you are at rest in God's arms. We, here at the firm, will take good care of Lorna, the bright and shining light of your life, as she tries to find peace in your absence. Your love for each other was a joy to witness.

Arthur Shapiro

May 12, 2009

Hi Daddy!

I know you are smiling down on me from heaven. I will miss you forever.

Kelly Hankins

May 5, 2009

Grover was a great friend and colleague. We developed as lawyers together at the Department of Justice and remained in contact over the years. He will be missed. Deepest sympathies to the family.

Michael Middleton

April 21, 2009

We will miss you Grover.
Your cousin.

Alex Hankins jr.

April 20, 2009

Grover You will be missed I am so sad the miles kept us apart. I remember the good old days, When you lived next door in North Chicago, Your cousin Dave

David Hankins

April 20, 2009

Great Warriors will never be forgotten.

May Peace be with you.

Gunny Thompson

April 14, 2009

May Gods Grace Be Upon The family

Henry Cooper

April 13, 2009

Grover, so sorry to hear that you have gone on, but you will forever be my uncle "groovy" Grover. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family.

Malina Bey

April 13, 2009

Grover, you will be missed. My prayers are with the family.

Anthony Spriggins

April 12, 2009

I pray our flight was easy Glenn.
My son and I will miss you.You will always live in our HEARTS.

Dr.Lorraine F. King,M.D.

April 10, 2009

My condolences to the family. I have considered Grover a dear friend since our years together at the Department of Justice. I worked on several of his cases. I spoke with him on the phone on several occasions over the years,getting updated on his life and family and seeking his advise. I am happy I got an opportunity to see and talk with him at the Civil Rights Division reunion after so many years. He will be truly missed.

Vivian Toler

April 10, 2009

Dear Lorna and Family - I was so surprised and saddened by Grover's passing. He was one of the first people that I met when I started work at Reich & Binstock. He was a "larger than life" personality, kind, gentle and always interesting. I remember the birthday party you surprised him with and how thrilled and proud he was.
Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of Grover. He will definitely be missed.
With fond memories and love to you,

Carolyn Solomon

April 9, 2009

I just wanted to express my condolences to the family. Mr. Hankins was truly a good man with a great heart! He will truly be missed. Lorna, I remember when I first began working with you all in League City and will never forget the memories there with you and Mr. Hankins and the rest of the legal team. You all gave me my first job while in law school and believed in my ability. That belief has allowed me to become a great legal asset to my current employer now at El Paso Corporation. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I will keep you in my prayers!

Maisha (Ballard) Stroud

April 9, 2009

Lorna - The memories of sitting with you and Grover have always been very special to me. Whether the subject was sports, food, music, politics, the kids or life; Grover's passion always impressed me. I will never forget the day you let me in on who Grover was and what the scope of his impact was on this world. That day I learned his passion was exceeded by his modesty. I am truly sorry for your loss. God bless you and the family. I will never forget that huge hand shake of his.

Chris Colin

April 8, 2009

Lorna - Words cannot express how sad I am to hear about Mr. Hankins. I was so blessed to work for him the time I did. I still remember the day you both interviewed me. He was in blue Hawaiian sort of shirt. Very articulate and good sense of humor is what I thought. We had a great time "starting" The Hankins Law Firm. It was such a learning experience. He was so passionate about what we were doing. I truly miss those days when we were just starting out. I will always remember him and the opportunity he gave me those years ago. Mr. Hankins had a good heart. I will always remember him!! God Bless You and your family.

Nancy Alcocer

April 8, 2009

Lorna and family. My most heartfelt condolences to all of you on the loss of a truly great human being. Grover was, most of all, a human and humane spirit who loved the human family, was never judgmental and wanted the best of everything for everyone. He was a thinker, a grand dreamer who pursued his dreams, a dear friend to all who were capable of real friendship. I am stunned, saddened and deeply sorrowful, but still very happy at the glorious, triumphant and successful life that he lived. He started as a young boy in Waukegan and became known all over the United States as one who fought for the rights of all, and won. May God bless the family and be with Grover as he continues his glorious journey throug eternity. He will face it with a smile. I have tried to reach the family to find out about arrangements. I just located this obit in the newspaper and now will not be able to be there. But I will be there in spirit tomorrow and with him always.
Basil L. North, Jr.

Basil North Jr

April 8, 2009

Lorna-
I am so sorry. I had no idea Grover had encountered health issues until Monday. Odysseus and I are so sorry. You know the wonderful man you had in him- as do we all. He was such a special man to me and I've been crushed by this all week long. Last time I saw him, we were both at Momentum. I teased him about his Porsche and he teased me about being a mommy! I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT DAY. I hope you always remember that I was so your biggest fan- next to him of course. Please take care of yourself.

Tammy Lanier

April 8, 2009

Grover you will forever live in my heart and prayers.

Bonnie Hankins

April 8, 2009

Lorna!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Grover will be missed more than words can say.

Nat and Gwen Baccus&Family

April 8, 2009

Grover you will be Greatly Missed. May God lighten the Hearts of your Friends and Family in this time of sorrow.

Raymond Turner

April 8, 2009

Please accept my deepest sympathies. Grover was a dapper dresser, exquisite art collector, Porsche owner, and pioneer in the environment justice law movement.

John C. Brittain

April 8, 2009

May you find comfort and peace in Jesus during this difficult time.
James O'Berry
Omega Psi Phi

James O'Berry

April 7, 2009

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