Charles Raymond “Ray” Hawk, age 91, of Yuma Arizona passed away from health and heart conditions on June 9, 2025.
Ray was born in Nodaway, Missouri on October 18, 1933. He was the second child of two, born to Virgil Lewis Hawk and Julia Fern Stringham.
Ray enlisted into the U.S. Army at the age of 17 years after having been born in a farmhouse in Missouri, moving to Weiser Idaho, living in a tent, and a brief time in Portland, Oregon before returning to Weiser. He served valiantly for 20 years 6 months before retiring Sept. 1, 1971 with an honorable discharge at the rank of E8, Master Sergeant. During his service he had 4 combat tour of duties: Korean War 1952, Vietnam War 1965, 1967 & 1969.
Ray met Elizabeth “Tib” Theresa Servatius “mom” on his way through Weiser prior to his Korean War deployment and they were married after he returned in 1952. They had 5 children: Jean Marie Hawk 1956, Ramona Lee Hawk 1958, David Ray Hawk 1960, Robert Jay Hawk 1961 and Roger Alan Hawk 1962.
Ray after his retirement from the Army worked as: Surveyor for The Idaho Highway Division, Purchasing Manager for Champion Homes, Service Manager for Woodgrain Moulding and Lead Mechanic for The Amalgamated Sugar Co. Nyssa Factory.
Ray and Tib started wintering in Yuma Arizona, as Ray did not like the cold weather. Tib passed away in 2005 and he continued to go south totaling over 30 years where he made many friends. Ray met Rhoda Thompson in 2008 and they remained very close until his death.
Ray was an avid fisherman and hunter in his youth and very much enjoyed casino games, poker, fast track card games and some travel as he got older.
Ray was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Hawk, mother, Julia Stringham, sister, Loretta Dillon, wife, Elizabeth Servatius Hawk and daughter, Jean Hawk. He is survived by his sister Nancy Rice of Neosho MO, children: Ramona Hawk Erickson (Kelly) of Weiser ID, David Hawk (Trudy) of Ontario OR, Robert Hawk (Caty) of Alvord TX, Roger Hawk (Julia) of Caldwell ID, 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild and Rhoda Thompson.
Ray will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. His final resting place will be with mom at The Hillcrest Cemetery in Weiser, ID.
Services pending Thomason Funeral Home Weiser, Idaho.
