Eary Hawkins, 103 years of age, passed away at Regency Care Center on Sept. 14, 2015. Eary was born in Portal, North Dakota, on Aug. 21, 1912, to Percy and Clara Hawkins. He had three brothers and 10 sisters. They moved to Riverside where Eary attended grade school. At the age of 9 he had a farm accident, causing head injuries which made learning to read and write a challenge, but Eary learned enough to get him through a well-lived life.
He left home at age 17 and did farm work until 1934, when he went to work at Grand Coulee Dam. There he learned to be a very talented welder, and many here remember Eary’s work when he worked at Omak Machine Shop from 1957 to 1975. He was also well known for the interesting windmills he made that were displayed in his yard located at the south end of Riverside.
In 1935, Eary married Phyllis and to that marriage Pete and Clifford were born. He and Phyllis bought the Riverside Service Station and ran that until 1949, when they bought the Riverside Tavern, which also served ice cream and soft drinks in the front so they were well-acquainted and loved by the community.
Phyllis died in 1987. In 1989, Eary met and married Juanita Dezellem, who he described as “a wonderful lady” he met at a senior citizen dance, and they enjoyed 21 years together, and were both very active in the senior center, where Eary enjoyed many hours playing pool and also pinochle. Eary loved to dance and, if possible, attended every senior citizen dance, including those in Twisp, and also dances at the Eagles until after the age of 101, when he fell and broke his hip. Eary was able to do his own housekeeping and cook his own meals when he didn’t eat at the senior center, until he broke his hip. His mind was sharp pretty much until the morning of Sept. 14 when he ate his favorite food — a bowl of oatmeal — and lay down for his final rest. Eary spent the last two years between Apple Springs Senior Living, Regency Care Center and Harmony House.
Eary’s many friends are so thankful for the care and support Randy and Brenda Thiele gave to Eary for many years, making life much easier for him. We will all be forever grateful for the love and care you have given to Eary.
Eary is survived by his son, Clifford, and wife, Carol; stepsons Joe Dezellem and wife, Carol, and Wayne Dezellem and wife, Mary; and numerous grandchildren.
There will be a memorial potluck dinner to celebrate Eary’s life at the Omak Senior Center at 11 a.m. on Saturday (Oct. 17) for his family and many friends. Please bring your memories of Eary to share with everyone.
