LARRY HAWKINS

1943 - 2016

HAWKINS, LARRY, The Honorable Larry Hawkins, Florida State Representative and Dade County Commissioner, entered this world on April 21, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, the only son of Roy and Carolyn Hawkins. He departed this life on December 29, 2016, overcome by complications associated with his war injuries. Hawkins was a true patriot. When he graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1966, the war was escalating. He believed his country needed him and he joined the United States Army. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1967, he was dispatched to Vietnam. As part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, he suffered paralyzing wounds from a mortar round during the Tet Offensive of 1968. Hawkins was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with a V for Valor and subsequently was medically retired from the Army. Hawkins earned his Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, Michigan. Despite his significant disabilities (he remained a paraplegic) you could not keep Larry from an active, productive life. Tropical weather and flat terrain drew Hawkins to Florida. His keen intellect and sharp wit made him an effective advocate for veterans in Tallahassee. The House leadership encouraged him to run for office. He served four terms (1978-1986) in the Florida House of Representatives, where he chaired the Veterans Affairs Committee. Later, he was elected Dade County Commissioner (1988-1994) and was admired for his successful efforts to help the greater Miami community, especially during the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. Hawkins served on the board of the Vietnam Veterans of America and had an impressive network of friends across the nation. He understood politics and governance, and fought for noble causes throughout his life. While on the County Commission, he quietly secured millions of dollars for Jackson Memorial Hospital and the Dade County Public Schools to assist with the influx of Haitian immigrants, working in partnership with a fellow Vietnam veteran, US Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa. Hawkins was always a friend of organized labor, an advisor to the IBEW and stalwart supporter of the Democratic Party. His later years were dedicated to the well-being of his beloved grandchildren, Samantha Kelly Hawkins Auricchio and PFC Alexander Lawrence Hawkins, US Army. He is also survived by his sisters, Peggy Hawkins (Kenneth Emigholz, husband) and Mary (Ted) Davis, nephew, Major Michael Hawkins Davis, US Army, and niece, Bryn Hemsley Masiuk. He will be missed by his extended family, Patricia Varone, and his stepson Patrick Varone, as well as many great nieces and nephews and many many good friends. Hawkins was predeceased by his son, Lawrence Richard Hawkins II. There will be no local services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Paralyzed Veterans of America or the Disabled American Veterans. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.