Linwood Robert Hawkins, III

Linwood Robert Hawkins, 82, passed away peacefully on October 23rd, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born February 13, 1943 in Camden, South Carolina to Linwood and Gladys McCraw Hawkins. His father ran hotels, so Linwood was reared in a hotel in Washington, D.C. until he was five when his father died. He and his mother rode a train to San Antonio and moved to Junction to be near her family. He was excited to play in dirt for the first time. He grew up in Junction and enjoyed many friendships. He graduated from Junction High School in 1961 and later graduated from the first 4-year class of Angelo State College with an English degree. He taught junior high language arts for 5 years in Big Lake, Texas, and on July 24, 1971, married the love of his life, Susan Schulze, of Mason. They moved to Junction in 1972 where he taught one year, worked for PAKS for 5 years, and then settled into banking with Junction National Bank for 31-1/2 years. He was respected by his customers, and many have expressed their gratitude for his help when they were struggling from paycheck to paycheck. He retired in 2009.

He loved sports, especially baseball—his team was the Boston Red Sox. He didn’t think he’d live long enough to see them win the World Series, but sure enough, they won four. He and his family were able to see a Red Sox/Yankees series at Fenway Park in 2013, which was one of his favorite memories. He played fast pitch softball for many years when he was home for the summer in Junction. He loved the youth of our community and followed all the different high school teams. He was the voice (PA announcer) of the Junction Eagles football team for 13 years and the Lady Eagles softball team for 9 years.

Linwood was a former member of Lion’s Club, Junction National Bank board of directors, Junction ISD school board, Meals on Wheels, Housing Authority, and Crimestoppers boards. He delivered Meals on Wheels for many years.

He was an active member of the College Street Church of Christ and loved his God and his church family. He had served as a deacon, treasurer and elder. He was a long-time high school class teacher. He participated in some great Super Saturday VBS programs.

Linwood was a great storyteller. He loved playing pranks, especially at Halloween, with his gorilla mask at the bank. He was super predictable. The girls at the bank said he never got off schedule. He wouldn’t carry a cell phone until his family said he needed one when he was in Houston. He said everyone knew where to find him without one.

Most of all, he loved his family. He loved chasing school buses following Lindsey in basketball, softball and track and Kyle playing football, basketball and baseball. His memory was phenomenal when recalling the games. He was kindhearted, a huge pet lover, selfless and generous. He was Pops to his grandchildren and loved reading Bible stories to them, playing monster at the playground or the pool and playing hide & seek. Even when he was weak after his hospital treatments, he managed to play hide and seek one more time before he left Houston, but It was hard to hide when he was using a walker!

He was a true friend to his buddies. He really loved his monthly ’42 games at the bank and was very competitive. He often said if you couldn’t laugh with Hawkins, you didn’t know Hawkins. His and Susan’s marriage of 54 years was based on love, faith and lots of laughs.

Linwood was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, Bill Hamer, and his brother-in-law, Ken Schulze.

He is survived by his loving wife, Susan, his daughter, Lindsey and husband Tyler Buckingham of Houston, son, Kyle of North Dakota, grandchildren, Carter, Hayes and Kate Buckingham, and sister-in-law, Ann Schulze of Keller.

A special thanks to Dr. Rieber in Fredericksburg and the staff of Kimble Hospital for being so accommodating after he came home from Houston so he could get the help he needed in Junction without having to travel.

Funeral services will be held November 1st at 2 P.M. at College Street Church of Christ with burial following at Junction City Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to College St. Church of Christ, Kimble County Meals on Wheels, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Make a Wish, or a charity of your choosing.

Services with integrity, pride, and honor are under the direction of Kimble Funeral Home. (325) 446-3076