John Hawkins
December 1, 1929 ~ January 2, 2008
Hawkins, John Powell, 78, Retired Insurance Professional and owner of Commercial Insurors, Inc., died January 2, 2008. Visitation with the family will be 3:00-5:00 PM, Sunday, January 6, at Downing Lahey East Chapel. Memorial services will be held 10:30 AM on Monday, January 7, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Born December 1st, 1929 in St Louis, MO to Edward H. Martha Cannon Hawkins, John grew up in Osawatomie, KS. He attended the University of Kansas. He and his family moved to Wichita in 1969. John was recently honored with a 50 year recognition for having earned his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 1957. He served as the Wichita CPCU Chapters first president in 1973 and on numerous insurance professional committees over the years. He has been active in various community activities including Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, Old Cowtown Museum, Wichita Symphony, Music Theatre of Wichita, Crestview Country Club, Wichita Center for the Arts, WSU Shocker Basketball, Downtown Rotary Club and Eastminster United Presbyterian Church. John enjoyed golf, attending his grandchildrens sporting events, and playing string bass over the years. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lois of Wichita, son, John (Jenny) of Salt Lake City, UT daughter, Laura of Scottsdale, AZ and David (Judy) of Wichita; grandchildren, Annie, Sarah, John and Jessica of Salt Lake City and Daniel of Wichita; brothers, Robert Hawkins of Topeka and Edward Hawkins of Denver, CO. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Eastminster Church or the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum.
Visitation with the family will be 3:00-5:00 PM, Sunday, January 6, at Downing Lahey East Chapel.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
My condolences go out to the family and friends of John. John was the boss of my wife (Shauna) while she worked for many years at Commercial Insurors. I remember John providing me with odd jobs around the office building, including washing and waxing his car. When you are a full-time student in college any job is helpful to pay for tuition and living expenses. It was very nice of him to help us out that way. I remember he always had a smile on his face and was always willing to help. My most recent memory of John is when he visited Scottsdale, AZ and invited me (my family lives in Phoenix now) to join him, his son David, and his grandson Daniel to play golf with them. That was a very nice gesture! I think he even let me win. 🙂 John will be missed dearly by his family and friends but will NEVER be forgotten.
Lois, John, Laura, and David I first met John when I started in the insurance business as an underwriter trainee in Wichita in 1972. He took an interest in me and we had many long discussions about technical insurance issues. He explained to me the way that insurance as a business really worked, in contrast to book knowledge, which was all I had at that time. When I began my CPCU studies, John was a helpful teacher and encourager for the five years it took me to complete the program. He was good to take me to meetings of the local chapter as I worked on my certification. I doubt that I would have completed the program without his help. All through my career in Wichita and Kansas City John was always kind to follow up with career advice and just to see how I was doing. I have lost a good friend and mentor and I will miss our phone calls and technical discussions. Other fond memories Sue and I share with John and Lois include Caldwell Elementary School parties, the CPCU convention in Boston and that fantastic party celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. May God comfort you as you adjust to life without John. Fondly, Kent and Sue Goodwin Shawnee, Kansas
Always interested in the welfare of other CPCU’s and an astute historian of the insurance industry in Kansas, I will miss him.
I worked for the Fleming Company with Ken Buller from 1965 – 1968. I appreciated John’s sense of humor and enjoyed working with him. My husband works at the Kansas Insurance Department and has kept up with John through the years. We extend our sympathy to your family.
Lois, John, Laura and David. Just wanted to let you know how sad Susie and I were to hear of John’s passing. There are many great memories of the days on Post Oak! John always had a smile and a handshake and touched many lives in a great way. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks ahead. With Deepest Sympathy, The Mike Martens family
I did not know Mr. Hawkins but I did grow up in Osawatomie. The alumni association forwarded information regarding his passing. My condolences and sympathy to the family and friends who will miss him.
John hired me at Commercial Insurors as a senior in High School back in 1980. I got out of school at noon and went straight to work. I loved working there for 4 and 1/2 years while attending college! John was a great man to work for; always very pleasant and patient and generous. He would let me drive his very nice car to the bank, post office etc. and I thought that was fantastic. I feel very fortunate to have such wonderful memories of my first job and boss all because of John. He always talked so highly of his family, I’m sure he was an outstanding husband, father and grandfather.
We are shocked and saddened to read about John. Please accept our heartfelt condolences to you, Lois and your family. Kathy and Corky Knock
Dear Lois & Family — the pain and sorrow created by the death of John is deeply shared at our house. In our golf group it was always a special pleasure when John joined us – because he was truly a golfing gentleman. He often road in my cart and I must add, each time he always had a story to share with us about his golfing grandson. We shall all miss him… Best wishes to each of you…Don & Will Gaylor
My deepest sympathy to the Hawkins family during this difficult time. Where do I even begin. I have known John for over 20 years, and worked for him at Commercial Insurors for 16 of those years. My own father passed away when I was only 3 years old, and John took over that role many years ago. But he was much more than a father figure in my life. He was my colleague, my mentor, my counselor, and a treasured friend. When John first hired me I ‘didnt even know how to spell insurance’ as John loved to put it. Before I could turn around, John had me licensed and learning all about the insurance business. John continually challenged me to learn more, and had me taking CPCU courses in short order. Though it was hard work at the time, I truly thank him for that now. John’s knowledge of all details of the insurance business has always amazed me. He taught me so much, and I would not be where I am today had it not been for John. For that I am truly grateful. But aside from his insurance knowledge and teaching skills, even greater was his compassion. John was such a caring and giving man, and did so much for me and all who were fortunate enough to have known him. I can say with all sincerity that I am a better person today for having had the gift of John Hawkins in my life. I will miss him dearly.
Dear Hawkins Family – Please accept my condolence on the loss of John. I also share, at least in a small way, his loss. When I became a young regulator in the Insurance Commissioner’s office in the late 1980’s, John befriended me as we interacted on many technical insurance issues that impacted his customers. He very quickly became a mentor, challenging me with his questions and leading to knowledge that has advanced my career. With his encouragement I earned my CPCU and later several other designations. He so frequently called on Mondays greeting me with ‘It’s Monday morning…’ that no other salutation was needed. Even after I left the Kansas Insurance Department, John followed my career and called with regularity – in fact, he called me last month just to catch up. I hope David and Lois will recall our few meetings. The rest of the family I know of just from our conversations. Regardless, I know you all mean so much to John beyond his professional relationships because he always spoke so very highly of you all. My hope is that this note of thanks for his positive impact on my life and the reassurance that his love for you is great will soften the loss we feel today. You have my deepest regards. John V. Spain, CPCU, ARC, ARe Secretary and Vice President Regulatory Relations – Key Insurance Company Overland Park, Kansas
Our hearts go out to family and friends who are feeling the loss of John Hawkins. Forty four years ago we moved into ‘the Village’ in Topeka. John Hawkins strolled over to welcome us to a neighborhood of young couples and active children. Cliff and John collaborated on remodeling projects. Our children played together. As the years flew by, John and Lois shared their lives and friendship. They gave us so much that we can never repay. John and Lois truly ‘pay it forward’. It would be easy to just say John wrote our business insurance, but that does not scratch the surface of the attention to detail and pleasure he showed for our business and personal growth and success. He encouraged us to come to Wichita, helped shape Cliff into a Shocker fan, and sponsored us into Crestview and on and on. David and John helped us get ready to open our business. Laura shared her artistic talents for awhile and Daniel helped in the closing. We were privileged to share some of the milestones of their lives. We loved listening to the Hawkins brand of chamber music as John, on the string bass, sons John, David and Grandson Daniel took us back to the past with 40s big band swing or stirred our roots with a little Bluegrass. He had immense pleasure and pride in his children and grandchildren. Johns ever present smile and gracious concern for the welfare of those around him enriched our lives. John Hawkins was the social chairman, organizer, concerned citizen, mentor, and faithful friend. We will miss him. Cliff and Shirley Koehn Wichita, KS