Charles "Charlie" Edward Hawkes

Age 73, passed away peacefully Thursday November 13th, 2025, surrounded by his family at his home in Sebastopol. Charlie was born November 16th, 1951 in Missouri to Charles “Chuck” and Lucille Hawkes.  The family moved to Sebastopol, CA when Charlie was a few years old.

Charlie had many passions in life; He took great pleasure watching his children and grandchildren follow in his footsteps by participating in sports and taking livestock to the county fairs. He enjoyed golfing, having meals with friends, RV traveling, and worked hard at whatever he put his mind to. Charlie loved his community and volunteered to help where he could. Most of all he loved his family.

As a child, Charlie joined 4-H and started raising hogs which he showed at the county fairs. Later in life, he volunteered as 4-H Swine Leader when his daughters joined a club.   Charlie loved raising hogs and created a hobby company he called III HAWK FARMS.  For 38 years, he produced quality show stock for 4-H and FFA exhibiters to show. This legacy lives on through his family.  At the fairs, Charlie could often be seen ringside with his note pad and pen, or in the barns helping where needed. Charlie was very passionate about making sure each child had a buyer at the fair livestock auctions. Every summer, local businesses and friends from counties near and far could expect a call or a letter from him soliciting for the upcoming fair. This was not only for the swine projects, but also the chicken, sheep and beef entries as his grandchildren joined 4-H and FFA. If he wasn’t placing bids during the fair livestock auctions, he was calling bids in the ring for the auctioneer. Before long, he had learned how to auctioneer and did so for several years at the Sonoma County Fair Junior Livestock Auctions and other special events. His dedication to this community was an inspiration that have created many cherished memories of Charlie.

To honor Charlie’s memory, the family has opened a memorial fund in his name to help purchase animals at the 2026 Sonoma County Fair Junior Livestock Auction. If you would like to donate to his memorial fund, please write checks to:

Charlie Hawkes Memorial Fund

Please send donations directly to:West America Bank105 North Main StreetSebastopol, Ca 95472 

In his teenage years, Charlie played football for Analy High School. He graduated from Analy in 1969 and continued his education at the Santa Rosa Jr. College.

He married his wife Ella (Thompson) Hawkes on September 30th, 1972. Together, they have three daughters and five grandchildren.  Like Charlie, the next generations enjoyed playing sports. Throughout his life, Charlie played and managed men’s softball and basketball teams and often filled in as umpire or referee when needed. For many years, he and Ella coached and managed their daughters’ Bobby Socks softball teams. Charlie was also assistant coach for the El Molino girls’ softball team and volunteered to help restore the fields over the years.  As Papa, he mostly sat back and enjoyed watching the grandkids play their game, with some coaching from the sidelines, of course.

Charlie started his career in ground water in 1972 working at Weeks Drilling and Pump Company in Sebastopol. Although he started by sweeping floors in the shop, Charlie had goals and he worked his way to water well drilling. Over time, Charlie found that he had the rare talent of dowsing “witching” for ground water and eventually started bidding jobs for drilling. Years after becoming partner at Weeks Drilling and Pump Company, he branched out on his own purchasing Yager Pump and Well with wife Ella.  A few years later Charlie merged Yeager Pump and Well with Petaluma’s Jerry and Don’s “Yager” Pump and Well. Along with helping to establish Sonoma County’s water well ordinances he was also a proud member of the California Groundwater Association (CGA) for many years and had the honor of being their president in 1990. He retired in 2012.  

After retirement, you could usually find Charlie around town having meals with friends. Breakfast with Gary, lunch with Bob, and let’s not forget the once-a-month, Wednesday bunko dinner with the guys; which was usually followed by a scoop of Cherries Jubilee from Baskin Robbins. Charlie, also known as Jr. Comish, could be found at several golf courses around Northern California depending on the time of year. Tuesdays at Fox Tail, and Thursdays in Sebastopol, where he was also the Jr. Chef for their afternoon tailgate BBQ’s. His dedication to the sport would have him stay up until midnight some nights on the phone with the Commissioner to book their tee times for the upcoming weeks. Charlie loved planning and traveling with his golf team members. They would compete in tournaments in Reno, NV and at Pinehurst in North Carolina some years.

He and wife Ella also did their fair share of traveling with their beloved RV Group.  This special group consist of friendly competitors throughout California that they shared a bonded with through a lifetime in the water pump and well industry. The group would caravan in their RVs around the states, but mostly spent time camping for weeks on end in the Arizona desert near Quartzite. Charlie enjoyed touring old towns, museums, and laughing and telling stories around the camp fire.

Charlie Hawkes was a great businessman, and a worthy competitor with a kind heart. He was a strong leader who loved his community. Charlie was a humble man and a loyal friend. For his family he was their rock, beloved husband, father and Papa. Charlie will truly be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Charlie is survived by his wife Ella Hawkes, daughters Connie Smith (David), Lindy Galea (Charlie), Brenda Ficco (Gino) and five grandchildren, Bailey, Wyatt, Kayla, Rebecca, and Chloe. His brothers Kenny, Howard, Dennis and his sister Linda. Charlie is preceded in death by parents Chuck and Lucille, brother Dean and sister Becky Lou.

Services will be held on Saturday, December 20th, 2025 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds Event Pavillon. Program begins at 11:00am.

Saralee & Richard’s Barn1350 Bennett Vally Rd.Santa Rosa, CA 95404