Donald David Hawkins, age 97, a native of Springfield, Missouri, left this life and made his journey back home, on December 21, 2021, two days before his 98th birthday, at his residence at The Manor at Elfindale in Springfield.

Don was born on December 23, 1923 in Alhambra, California. His parents, Paul Clifford Hawkins and Flora Irene Heim, had moved there from Ash Grove before he was born in order to seek work. They returned back to Ash Grove shortly after Don was born. Don attended Coleman School in Ash Grove, Rountree Elementary, Jarrett Jr. High and Senior High. He attended one semester at Drury College but his education was cut short with the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

He left Drury after one semester and obtained his private pilots license. Don entered the Army AirCorp in December 1942 and began a lengthy training track ending in his officer commissioning and assignment to fly P-51's in the 325th Fighter Group at Lake Lesina, Italy in 1944. He flew his first combat mission July 2, 1944, and on August 23, 1944, during an escort mission in southern Austria, his plane developed engine problems and he had to bail out in an area south of Vienna. He was captured as a POW and ended up at Stalag Luft 1 in Germany until his release by the Russians in late April 1945.

Don and Wanda Rose Thompson Hawkins knew each other in high school but they had never dated. However, while on leave from training in February 1944 they became reacquainted and within a few months they were engaged. Don always said "she fell for my fancy uniform, tanned skin and 'silver wings', it was too much for her." Needless to say they wasted no time after his return and were married on July 14, 1945.

After a brief separation from the Army Air Corp, Don re-enlisted in January 1946 and the rest is his-story. He eventually earned a permanent Officer commission in the Air Force, became a jet fighter pilot and flew two tours in Vietnam flying the RF-4 reconnaissance jet. After 34 years and many moves around the country, including two tours in Japan, Don retired as a Colonel.

After retirement, he and Wanda returned to Springfield where he earned his undergraduate degree from MSU. In Springfield, they were able to reunite with their families and many high school and college friends. They were members of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church, Twin Oaks Country Club, and Don was a member of Rotary and many other clubs and organizations. Whatever he did and wherever he was, Don was a leader, a friend and had such a positive outlook on life. He was loved and will be greatly missed.

Don is preceded in death by his wife Wanda Rose, his son James Donald Hawkins, and his son-in-law CAPT Johnny Lee Green. He is survived by his daughter Barbara Hawkins Green, his four grandchildren Shannon Green Singleton (Brian), Kyle Green (Amanda), Tyler James Hawkins, Cory James Hawkins (Bianca), and six great-grandchildren Dylan and Cash Singleton, Grant and Baby Hawkins, Dax and Wyatt Green.

A visitation will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home on Thursday December 30, 2021 at 12:00 pm. There will be a military interment ceremony following the visitation at 2:00 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, MO.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation or the Epilepsy Foundation.