Howard Dean Hawkins

Howard Dean Hawkins was born in Los Angeles, CA to Ellis and Gladys Hawkins on September 23, 1932. His parents worked in the Los Angeles Wilshire district while raising Howard. He graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1950. Following high school, he enrolled at The University of California where he graduated with a Bachelors in Business Administration in 1954. He then enrolled in the United States Naval Reserve in 1955 and was awarded the title of Lieutenant in 1958. He served 6 years in the U.S. Naval Reserve, including some time in Japan during the Korean War. He enrolled at the University of Michigan pursuing a Masters in Business Administration which he achieved in 1957. While enrolled at the University of Michigan, he met Shirley Abbott on a blind date in 1956. He and Shirley dated several years before marrying in Birmingham, MI on 7/26/58. They moved to Torrance, CA in 1959 where they started a family. In 1959 they had their first daughter, Nancy, who was followed by son, Dean, and daughter, Marney, before moving to La Mirada, CA in 1965. Son, Peter, was born in 1969. During this time, he worked with the Security Pacific National Bank (SPNB) in Seal Beach and eventually worked his way up to Branch Manager. In 1975 he and Shirley moved the family to Whittier. He was transferred to work in the SPNB Headquarters in downtown Los Angeles in the mid-1970’s. He eventually worked his way up to become Vice President and was the Western Regional Manager of the bank’s National Real Estate Department. In 1987 he left SPNB and joined the Industrial Bank of Japan, where he worked in their real estate division. In 1992 he pursued a new career as a Financial Advisor, working with Waddell and Reed until the early 2000’s when he retired. After retiring, he volunteered for about 10 years with the non-profit organization, SCORE, in Santa Ana. There, he mentored young professionals on how to start and/or grow their business.

Howard had a strong interest in all sports. He participated as a hurdler in high school and college. As a hurdler at Cal, he competed against Bob Mathias, the then Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon. He loved his alma mater, Cal, where he was involved for many years with the southern California alumni association, Southern Seas, helping to scout and recruit promising young football talent. He served as President of Southern Seas for 3 years. He and Shirley were season ticket holders at Cal football games for 30+ years, and Cal basketball games for about 20 years. He also helped coach boys’ baseball and girls’ softball for many years. He served as the treasurer for East Whittier Presbyterian Church for 30+ years up until he passed away in 2025. One of Howard and Shirley’s greatest joys was traveling the U.S. and many other countries throughout the world. Along with Shirley, Howard loved being with family. After being married for 66 years, Shirley passed away in October 2024 from complications with Parkinson’s disease. Howard passed away in November 2025 due to cardiac failure from complications resulting from lymphoma B cell cancer treatment. He is survived by daughter Nancy Harvey and granddaughters Kristin and Michelle; son Dean (Donna Jean) Hawkins and granddaughters Elissa, Helen and Jen; daughter Marney (Mark) Michalowski with granddaughter Ali and grandson Will; and son Peter Hawkins. In addition to his wife Shirley, he was preceded in death by son in law, Bill Harvey.

A memorial service will be held at East Whittier Presbyterian Church at 11:00am on 2/21/26 at 14061 East Second Street, Whittier, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to one of the following: www.epilepsy.com; www.michaeljfox.org; or Donate Today | The American Cancer Society.