Gary Joe Hawkins

A beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend has left us. Gary Hawkins passed away at his home on June 1, 2005. He was 64.
Gary was born in Kalispell on Aug. 24, 1940, and was raised in Dayton, Mont., by Ava "Bill" Hawkins and Leona (Haun) Hawkins. After Gary's father passed away when he was young, Gary's mother remarried to Bill Loveless, a close friend to Gary's father. Gary always had a special place in his heart for Bill Loveless and the time he had with him. Gary attended high school in Polson and Rocky Mountain College in Billings. He had many occupations over the years, from a trapper to working on some of the first computer systems in Billings, but the majority of his career was in welding supply sales. Gary married the love of his life, Joan Pavlicek, in Billings, on May 9, 1980. He retired from Gasses Plus in October of 2004 after a 30-year career in welding supply sales.
Gary enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and boating. Growing up on the Flathead never seemed to leave him.
Gary is survived by his wife, Joan; sons Jim and Joe Hawkins, and Pete Johnston, Shawn Baxter and Shumon Banerjee; daughters Des, Lindy Baxter, Maria Johnston and Tracy Banerjee; grandsons Christopher, Jason, Liam and Marc; and granddaughters Joey and Kinsey; and also by countless others he met through work or the Western Bar. If I tried to name them all, there would be no room left in this paper.
Gary was the kindest man anyone could meet and we are all very lucky to have had the privilege of knowing, laughing and loving him in his short time on earth.
Gary, we all love you and will miss you until we meet up with you again.
Visitations will begin Saturday, June 4, at the Smith Downtown Chapel, 925 S. 27th St. A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 5, at the Smith Downtown Chapel. The Funeral Mass is at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 6, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 18th Street West and Broadwater, with rite of committal to follow at the Calvary Cemetery.