Larry A. Hawkins, 79, of Aiken, SC passed away on January 24, 2025 after a brief illness. He was born on May 12, 1945 in Clarksburg, WV to the late Howard and Velma Hawkins. Larry attended Shinnston Grade School and graduated from Shinnston High School in 1963.
Because the Vietnam war was escalating, Larry voluntarily joined the Marines serving in NC followed by his rotation in Vietnam. Larry was assigned to the helicopter division because of his technical aptitude. He was always able to take anything apart and put it together again without missing a beat. He loved his assignment as it was a perfect fit for him.
After leaving the Marines, he moved to Littleton, CO where he raised his 2 daughters. While living in Colorado, he obtained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Data Processing from the University of Colorado and worked for the University of Colorado Medical Center as a programmer. This was the start of a very successful IT career. In 1985, Larry was offered a job at the University of NC Medical Center as a computer analyst. He moved his family to NC where he worked until he retired. After retirement from UNC Medical Center, Larry started a computer contracting business working with various companies using hospital computing systems.
In his spare time, Larry developed a love of the outdoors and sailing while living in Colorado. His passion of sailing lead him to open a successful business, Mile High Yacht Sales where he lived his dream. He was selling boats during the week and sailing those boats each weekend. The move to NC brought him closer to the ocean and ocean sailing.
Larry A. Hawkins, 79, of Aiken, SC passed away on January 24, 2025 after a brief illness. He was born on May 12, 1945 in Clarksburg, WV to the late Howard and Velma Hawkins. Larry attended Shinnston Grade School and graduated from Shinnston High School in 1963.
Because the Vietnam war was escalating, Larry voluntarily joined the Marines serving in NC followed by his rotation in Vietnam. Larry was assigned to the helicopter division because of his technical aptitude. He was always able to take anything apart and put it together again without missing a beat. He loved his assignment as it was a perfect fit for him.
After leaving the Marines, he moved to Littleton, CO where he raised his 2 daughters. While living in Colorado, he obtained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Data Processing from the University of Colorado and worked for the University of Colorado Medical Center as a programmer. This was the start of a very successful IT career. In 1985, Larry was offered a job at the University of NC Medical Center as a computer analyst. He moved his family to NC where he worked until he retired. After retirement from UNC Medical Center, Larry started a computer contracting business working with various companies using hospital computing systems.
In his spare time, Larry developed a love of the outdoors and sailing while living in Colorado. His passion of sailing lead him to open a successful business, Mile High Yacht Sales where he lived his dream. He was selling boats during the week and sailing those boats each weekend. The move to NC brought him closer to the ocean and ocean sailing. Larry did most of his sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, the Intercostal Waterway and Pamlico Sound.
Surviving are wife Antionette Ukmar; daughters, Lisa Hawkins and Lori Hawkins and her husband, Francis Tucci; granddaughters, Eva and Lexie Tucci; sisters Carol and Lorraine; brother Bill and his wife Kim; sister-in-law Twilla Stoler and multiple nieces and nephews. Larry is also survived by former spouse, Joyce Decuba. He is predeceased by his brother Paul.
Friends will be received at Harmer Funeral Home on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 5:00PM-8:00PM. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11:00AM with Pastor Clifford Powell officiating. Interment will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Enterprise.
Online memories and condolences may be shared at harmerfuneral.com
A service of Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston.