Jerry L. Hawkins, Clinton, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at The Gibson Family Center for Hospice Care on Monday July 28, 2025.
Jerry was born June 4, 1940, in West Terre Haute. He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence E. Hawkins and Dorothy (Davis) Hawkins Pell. Also preceding Jerry in death were four brothers Lawrence, Billy, Robert, and Jack; two sisters Patricia Dugger (and husband Warren) and Carolyn Sue Natalie (and husband Ron); Step-Father Alfred Pell; and brother-in-law Dave Craig.
Jerry is survived by his best friend and wife of 62 years, Marilyn (Craig) Hawkins; son John Brooke Hawkins; daughter Ann (Mike Frame); granddaughters Calli Zitzer, Zoe Zitzer, Tess Zitzer, Madison Hawkins, and Mallory Hawkins; grandson Payton Hawkins; sister-in-law Wilberta Craig; and his many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jerry was a 1958 graduate of Clinton High School. He served in the United States Army from 1959-1962. After serving in the military Jerry went on to earn a B.S., M.S., Ed. S (Guidance & Counseling), Ed.S (Superintendent’s License), and a PhD in Educational Administration from Indiana State University.
During his career, Jerry taught in Elkhart Community Schools, North Vermillion, South Vermillion, Rosedale, Turkey Run, and Rockville Community School Corporation where he served as interim Superintendent. Jerry taught high school English and Social Studies, served as a Guidance Counselor, Principal, Vocational and Adult Education Director, and Superintendent. Jerry was proud to have worked in each of the area school corporations and to have served the communities of both Vermillion and Parke counties. Jerry retired in 2002 as Superintendent of South Vermillion Community School Corporation.
Following his retirement, Jerry remained active in education. He’s been a member of the South Vermillion School Board of Trustees since 2017. Jerry has also worked with Indiana State University in their Principal-Preparation Program and spent 24 years as a Senior Educational Consultant with Performance Services, an engineering company in Indianapolis specializing in high-performance buildings and systems with optimal learning and working environments.
Jerry held memberships in The Indiana Principal’s Association, The Indiana and National Schools Counselor’s Association, ASCD, The Indiana School Boards Association, and The Indiana Public Schools Superintendent’s Association. Jerry served as a founding board member of The Valley Professionals Community Health Clinic. He also served the Clinton Public Library Board, the South Vermillion School Board, the Little Italy Festival Board, and was Ruling Elder in the United Presbyterian Church. Jerry previously served on the Vermillion County Council and served briefly as the Mayor of Clinton.
Jerry was blessed with musical talents and enjoyed a lifetime of music. He was an avid musician and primarily played with several local groups. Jerry especially enjoyed performing and playing music during the Little Italy Festival at the wine garden over the Labor Day weekend. Jerry was inducted into the Wabash Valley Musician’s Hall of Fame in 2020.
Jerry loved spending time with the family and working outdoors. He especially enjoyed traveling with family and being present and active in the lives of his grandchildren. Jerry enjoyed meeting and working with people. He especially enjoyed hearing from former students and learning about their accomplishments.
Cremation was chosen. Frist Funeral Home is assisting the family. Services will be held at a later date.
Online condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.fristfuneralhome.com.
