Melvin Carlisle Hawkes

Mel completed his journey on Earth and passed away peacefully at home on January 28, 2018, of kidney failure. While he may be gone physically, his influence was widespread and will live on in the lives of the many people he touched as a husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, teacher, principal and friend.

Mel was an extraordinary man who was always kind and compassionate, humble, and full of integrity. He loved to learn about everything and anything. An extremely hard worker, he was meticulous and creative in all that he did.  He supported anyone who was engaged in doing good. He also was quick to laugh and always had a joke. These qualities served him well as an outstanding elementary school teacher and principal in the Weber School District for 34 years, as well as a loving father and grandfather. 

He loved having his children and grandchildren about him, and they all loved when they were treated to his exceptional chocolate chip cookies, pancakes or grilled cheese sandwiches. He loved to go on road trips to just enjoy nature or visit the National Parks like Zion, Bryce, and Yellowstone. 

Mel was born to Jay P. and Ilah Hunsaker Hawkes, on December 9, 1950. They lived in Honeyville, Utah, where his Grandma Leone Hunsaker and his father were sometimes his teacher and/or principal in elementary school. They inspired him to be a wonderful educator himself. He graduated from Box Elder High School and attended Weber State College, pausing his schooling to serve two years in the California Mission. He grew to love the area and would return there as often possible. He resumed his education at Weber State and completed his degree in Elementary Education. He later earned his Master of Education, also from Weber State College. During his college years, he married the luckiest girl in the world, Margie Poll, on January 6, 1977, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They lived in Ogden their first year of marriage and their remaining 40 years in Layton, Utah. There he lived a life dedicated to faithfully living the Gospel and lovingly rearing his children in righteousness. They were the joy of his life, and as they grew into adults and began their own families, he delighted in his precious grandchildren. He was a man of exact obedience, and served in all his church callings with dedication, even when his health waned. He was thrilled to serve as an Ordinance Worker in the Ogden and Bountiful LDS Temples.

He is survived by his wife Margie, children Jennifer (Nathan) Ormsby, Sarah (Seth) Ford, Nathan (Alexandra) Hawkes, Carlie Hawkes, and 11(+) grandchildren:  Marlee, Noah, Vance, Elijah, Samson, Thatcher, Carter, Calvin, Hazel, Blair, and Clara.  He is also survived by his siblings Steve (Rosie) Hawkes, Wendy (Jeff) Merrill, Tim (Cindy) Hawkes, Kelly Hawkes, and Jon (Christy) Hawkes. Preceded in death by his parents and baby sister Rebecca.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00, Friday, February 2, 2018, at the Layton North Stake Center, 1954 E. Antelope Drive, Layton, UT 84040.  Friends and family may call 6:00-8:00 pm, Thursday, February 1, 2018, at Russon Mortuary, 1941 N. Main Street, Farmington, UT 84025, and Friday morning 9:30-10:30 at the church prior to services.  He will be laid to rest in the Honeyville Cemetery.