Tulsa loses one of its bravest public servants

Former Tulsa Fire Chief E. Stanley Hawkins died Monday at the age of 93.

The WWII combat veteran served as a Tulsa firefighter for about 37 years, including 21 years as chief.

He joined TFD soon after leaving the U.S. Navy in 1948.

The city issued the following statement:

Former Tulsa Fire Chief E. Stanley Hawkins joined the Tulsa Fire Department on Aug. 1, 1948 and was named Tulsa Fire Chief in 1964. Hawkins retired in 1985 after 37 years of service.

In addition to serving as President of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association in 1960, Hawkins was President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs in 1981. To date, only one other Oklahoman has held that position.

"This is a sad day for the Tulsa Fire Department as we say goodbye to a member of the Tulsa Fire Department family," Tulsa Fire Chief Ray Driskell said. "Chief Hawkins was not only a mentor to me, but to many local and international firefighters that had the pleasure to serve under him."

After his Tulsa Fire Department service, Hawkins worked in the Tulsa office for Governor David Walters. Later, he joined the Tulsa office of CompSource Oklahoma, retiring on a permanent basis in 2001 at the age of 80. He was a member and past president of the Tulsa Rotary Club, as well as a member of American Legion, Akdar Shrine, VFW and Royal Order of Jesters.

"The Tulsa Fire Department is one of the best in the country, thanks to the many fire chiefs who have trained and lead the fire department over the years," Mayor Dewey Bartlett said. "Chief Hawkins lead the department for 21 years and his experience and leadership will never be forgotten."

Edward Stanley Hawkins was born in Collinsville, Oklahoma and was a proud member of the first graduating class of Daniel Webster High School. In 1939, Hawkins served as Senior Class President and President of the Student Council. He was inducted into Daniel Webster High School Hall of Fame in 1990.

Hawkins served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on board two different destroyers, USS Farenholt and USS Isherwood. During combat, both ships were damaged and many lives were lost, but Torpedoman First Class Hawkins managed to come home to his family without a scratch at the end of his service.

Chief Hawkins passed away on Monday, July 1 2013 and just recently celebrated his 92^nd birthday on June 23.

Chief Hawkins leaves behind his wife of 16 years, Marcia, two grandchildren Denise Webber and Rayce Hawkins, their spouses, four great grandchildren, and Marcia's family Barry and Dan Koonce and their wives and children.

Funeral Services for Chief Hawkins will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, at First Christian Church, 913 South Boulder Ave. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5111 South Memorial Dr. Viewing will be at the Moore Funeral Home, 9350 E 51 St.