James Earl Hawkins, who resided in Ratcliff, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, December 3, 2015 at his home. He was born June 9, 1936 in Charleston, Arkansas to the late Bonnie James Hawkins and Elsie Marie (Hicks) Hawkins. He was 79 years old.

James was a retired dairy farmer. He worked for Whirlpool Corporation in Fort Smith for 11 years. He served 24 years on the Farmer's Cooperative Board, which he served as president for five of those years. He served as a director on the AMPI Board, served as president for the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). He served 21 years on the Logan County Conservation District Board from 1991 to 2012. He was area vice-president of the Arkansas Association of Conservation District and chairman for the Resolutions Committee. James was a Mason and he received his 50 year masonic pin in 2013. He was a deacon for 37 years and was a member of Brooklyn Freewill Baptist Church.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 7th, at Brooklyn Freewill Baptist Church, with the Rev. J.L. Bonds and Rev. Jeff Henderson officiating. Burial will be at Potts Cemetery, located southeast of Charleston, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

He is survived by his wife of 59 1/2 years, Pat (Kanady) Hawkins; one daughter, Kim Hawkins of Ratcliff; one son, David Hawkins and wife Joetta of Ratcliff; one sister, Linda Carruth of Lavaca; three grandchildren, Cara Merritt, Nolan Hawkins and Nathan Hawkins; one great-grandson, Grayson James Merritt and one great-granddaughter on the way very soon.

Pallbearers will be Nolan Hawkins, Ryan Merritt, Marlon Kanady, John Thomson, Danny Shaw, and Mike Jones.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Gack, Buz O'Neal, and the Adult Men's Sunday School Class.

Family will visit with friends 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Brotherton Funeral Home in Charleston.

To pay an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com .

To view the video - http://videos.lifetributes.com/653271