JESSE JEFFERSON HAWTHORNE JR.

-->DR. JESSE JEFFERSON HAWTHORNE, JR., died on Saturday, November 7, 2009, in Commerce. He was born in Mansfield, Louisiana, on May 11, 1919, the son of Jesse Jefferson Hawthorne, Sr., and Maggie Chambers. He grew up in Port Arthur, Texas, and graduated from Port Arthur High School in May, 1938. While at the University of Texas, he met Dorothy Loraine Dickey. They married on June 17, 1942.In May, 1941, Jesse volunteered for the Army Air Corps. He became a navigator and an instructor training officer at Hondo Army Air Field. He was discharged as a Captain in 1945. After his military service, he returned to the University of Texas to complete his BS in Health and Physical Education. He taught at the Texas School for the Deaf (1946-1948) and led the football team to a National Championship for the Deaf. He completed a Master of Education; and, in 1953 completed a Doctor of Education.In 1951, Dr. Hawthorne moved to Commerce and began teaching at East Texas State University. During his 32 year career at ETSU, the intercollegiate programs were highly successful in the Lone Star Conference and the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics. The record includes 11 Lone Star Conference championships in football, 13 conference championships in track and field, 9 conference championships in basketball, 12 conference championships in tennis, and 2 conference championships in golf.ETSU recognized Dr. Hawthorne's service. He received the Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award in 1974. In 1982 he was the first recipient of the David K. Brace Award for the Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. In 1997 he was awarded the prestigious Spirit of Mayo Award in Recognition of Outstanding Service and Teaching by President Jerry D. Morris. He retired from East Texas State University in 1984 and was bestowed the honorary Professor Emeritus.Dr. Hawthorne served Commerce as Mayor Pro-term, Presidents of the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, and United Way of Commerce. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Commerce and served on the Administrative Board. He was a member of the Dough Rollins Sunday School Class. In 1997 he was selected as the Outstanding Citizen of Commerce.Survivors include 2 daughters: Barbara Michels of Houston and Rev. Joan Humphries of Coppell; His grandchildren include Jodie Ann McNairy, William Hawthorne Michels, Genevieve Michels Namerow and her husband Fernando, Louisa Demoy Davis and her husband John, and Kenneth Dorian Michels and his wife Christine. Nine great-grandchildren include nine great¬ granddaughters: Maranda Nicole Stonaker, Tonya Riley Stonaker, Jesse Lynn Beeson, Julian Hawthorne Michels, Avery Joanne Michels, Stoli Jane Cox, Cameron Olivia Michels, Leanne Demoy Humphries, and Nicole Riley-Lynn Humphries; and one great-grandson: Alexander Ray Namerow. Dr. Hawthorne was preceded in death by his beloved wife Dorothy and grandson Jefferson Ainsworth Humphries.He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy, and his grandson Jefferson Ainsworth Humphries.Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church of Commerce. Interment will follow in Rosemound Cemetery.Visitation will be held at Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.Memorials may be sent to the Commerce Lions Club, P O Box 424, Commerce, TX 76429; the Dr. Jesse J. Hawthorne, Jr. Endowment, Texas A&M University Commerce Foundation, P O Box 3425, Commerce, TX 75429; or to the TAHPERD Foundation, 7910 Cameron Road, Austin, TX 78754.