Raymond Lee Hawkins

Raymond Lee Hawkins, age 89, of Alto passed away on Monday, August 1, 2022. Ray was the son of Clayton and Edna Hawkins, born June 10, 1933. He married Gertrude Louise Teater on May 14, 1955 at Park Congregational Church. Ray graduated from Caledonia Agricultural School in 1951. Following graduation, he worked for Davis Dental Laboratory until he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1952, where he completed initial training at the U.S. Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. He saw service during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1956, where he worked in communications having attended U.S Naval Radio School in San Diego, CA and follow-on courses at Imperial Beach NSA School in Napa, CA. Upon completion of his training, Ray was stationed first at the Naval Air Facility Adak in Alaska and then, after marrying his wife Gertrude in 1955, was stationed at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico. After completing his service, he returned home to Michigan and once again worked for Davis Lab. Ray taught Sunday school at Whitneyville Bible Church, served on the Caledonia School Board, volunteered at the Kent County Youth Fair as Livestock Superintendent, Sheep Superintendent, and served on the fair board for 16 years. Ray was a member of the American Legion Post 305 in Caledonia and a member of the Caledonia Historical Society. Ray retired from the lab in 1993. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed raising sheep, gardening, and taking friends and family on golf cart rides around the farm. He was preceded in death by his brother, Clayton Hawkins Jr.; sister, Sharon Hawkins; daughters-in-law, Dede Hawkins, Mary Hawkins; sister-in-law, Barbara Hawkins. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Gertrude; children, Raymond (Penny) Hawkins Jr., James Hawkins, William Hawkins, Roy David (Kathy) Hawkins, John (Sandy) Hawkins, Mary (Chad) Crosby; 17 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; brother, Richard (Joyce) Hawkins. Funeral services will be held 11 am Friday, August 5, 2022 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 616 E. Main St. SE, Caledonia, with Rev. Alan Leonhardt officiating. Burial will be held at Lakeside Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday from 5-8 pm at the funeral home and one hour prior to services. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the American Legion Post 305.