Wray A. Hawkins Jr. died peacefully on Jan. 17, 2022 at his home on the family farm on Butter Creek near Echo at the age of 72.
He was born on Aug. 31, 1949 in Pendleton.
After he graduated from Helix High School in 1968, where he played football and basketball, Wray joined the U.S. Navy, where he quickly found his niche in the submarine corps. He truly enjoyed serving his country, and being on a submarine was an experience of a lifetime that he spoke of fondly and often. In 1975, Wray was honorably discharged from the Navy and found his lifelong passion in farming. Being raised in a farming family, it was a natural fit for him, and he loved every aspect of growing wheat and helping to feed the world. He often said, “Without us farmers, these poor people would starve to death,” and then would break into that unmistakable laugh of his.
Wray had many hobbies that he and his wife, KC, shared. They loved to hunt, fish and go looking for mushrooms while on one of their many camping trips. He was also a wonderful chef, and creating a special meal is something he took very seriously. For instance, he took special pride in hosting many Thanksgiving dinners for one of his best friends, and of course in his words, it was always “a masterpiece.” No one had a better sense of humor or enjoyed pulling pranks on his family and friends as much as Wray. For starters, he insisted that he and KC get married on Leap Day so he only had to celebrate their anniversary once every four years. Or during harvest, if you were new to the crew, at some point you were sure to get an unexpected handful of grease from a door handle. It was just his way of saying welcome to the Hawkins harvest crew. He relished being with people and volunteering his time, as is evident from his 30-plus years of service to the Pendleton Round-Up.
Wray is survived by the love of his life and his best friend, his wife, KC. He is also survived by his mother and father, Wray Hawkins Sr.; his sister, Debra Shampine (Paul, deceased); his brother, Kelly Hawkins (Pam); his daughter, Alex Shaw (Brian); his son, Blain Hendrickson (Emily); his stepdaughter, Brandie Cutts; his many cousins; and his seven grandchildren.
A service will be held later in the spring.
Please make donations to PAWS of Pendleton. Wray loved animals and only wanted the best for all of them.
Please share memories of Wray with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
