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Brad Hawkins Obituary
Brad is survived by his wife, Melissa; daughter, Cecily (16); parents, Cecil and Julie Hawkins; siblings, Wendy (Jason) Vargas, Nicholas (Carli) Hawkins, and Adam (Deana) Hawkins; nieces and nephews, Ashlie, Savannah, Lilah, Hunter, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Emery, Cadence, Nora, Harlow, and Dash; and numerous members of his extended family.
Family and friends were most important in Brad's life. Brad became a stay-at-home dad when Cecily arrived, exposing himself as a baby whisperer to those outside his family. He played a large role in developing Cecily's love of animals, inquisitive nature, empathy for others, and knowledge of random facts. Those within his family and in his close circle of friends already knew of his magic with kids. At gatherings, he was a magnet for them with his willingness to teach them new things and go on adventures.
Brad was a jack of all trades and enjoyed fishing, hiking, woodworking, cooking, and most of all, coming to the rescue of family and friends in need. He was the person everyone knew they could call when they needed something fixed, help moving, or a late-night ride without any expectation of something in return. Brad had a way of floating in when something needed doing and disappearing when it was complete.
A celebration of Brad's life will be held at the Visalia Elk's Lodge on March 25th at 12:00 pm. All friends and family whose lives were touched by Brad are welcome to attend and share memories of the times they had together.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Brad's memory to Project Survival Cat Haven- https://cathaven.com/ or the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) - https://melanoma.org/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
David Poplack
March 21, 2024
David Poplack
March 21, 2024
David Poplack
March 21, 2024
David Poplack
March 21, 2024
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David Poplack
March 21, 2024
David Poplack
March 21, 2024
David Poplack
March 21, 2024
David Poplack
March 21, 2024
David Poplack
March 21, 2024
David Poplack
March 21, 2024
I´ve known Brad since I was 4 but can´t recall my first memory of him. What I will always remember is all the great times we had together. The gleam in his eyes when it was time for an adventure. The kindness and willingness to always be there when needed. Brad was a special person, a mentor, a best friend, a brother. He will always be part of me.
Teppei Yamashita
March 17, 2024
I met Brad when I was 15 or 16 through David Poplack. David and I met in England in a boarding school and we hit it off straight away. He would tell me his life and friends in Visalia, CA. all the time. And I was told about Brad as his best friend. His love in music, nature and spirituality, particularly about Native Americans was very impressive and made me really curious about him. I was fortunate enough to visit David in Visalia, there, I met Brad. Exactly as my expectation, he was kind, funny, and adventurous. Though he showed his cheaky side, I was impressed by his perspective in life and maturity of it all. We were all young and wreckless but he kind of seemed he was above all that in some way. He knew his ground and stood firm in his belief. He knew what's really matters in life.
Though it was a fraction of time we shared together, it was memorable and I respect him as my good friend.
Very sad to hear about his sudden departure, my sincere condolences to his family.
Will see you again, Brad!
Teppei Yamashita
March 17, 2024
Teppei Yamashita
March 17, 2024
Teppei Yamashita
March 17, 2024
Deana Hawkins
March 9, 2024
I met Brad when I was probably 17, and my first memories all include his first dog and favorite charge (until his daughter was born) Zip. Brad took Zip everywhere he went, and he loved him a lot. When Brad's first nieces were born, we got to see him give that same kind of love to them, and then to his daughter Cecily, and eventually I got to see him share that special playful and joke-filled love with my own daughters (who are also his nieces). Even when he may have been busy or distracted by something, he was ready to have fun with the kids in the family. Brad, thank you for swooping in to fix up every home Adam and I have ever lived in to make it livable for us before move-in, for the yummy food and Irish coffees, for the silly tricks and big laughs, for loving our daughters, and for leaving us with such fun memories. We will miss you forever.
Cecily Hawkins
March 9, 2024
My first memory with my dad was playing guitar hero with him (my controls were off) and rocking out with him.
Jake Schiebelhut
March 7, 2024
Brad And I Used To Play Pool Together Over At Santa Fe Station I Remember He'd Always Beat Me Every Game. We Used To Hang Out Sometimes After High School At Our Friend Steve Smith's House. I Have To Say He Was A Great Guy And I Hadn't Seen Him In Over 20 Years. We Are All Gonna Miss Him.
Darci Gordon
March 6, 2024
I have know Brad since high school. I had the pleasure of him coming to my rescue several times in the last year. Fixing multiple things that I needed help with. Brad was a guy that didn´t always have to much to say, but his acts of kindness said a lot. I will never forget his sweet smile and willingness to help.
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