Jack Robert Hawkins age 83 of Lafayette, passed away at 4:00 AM April 11, 2022, in St. Anthony Healthcare Lafayette.  He was born in Lafayette, January 4, 1939, to the late Harold Robert and Eva Irene Crone Hawkins.  He was raised on a farm near Otterbein in Benton County.

Jack was a graduate of Otterbein High School and received a BS from the Purdue University School of Agriculture.  He was first employed following graduation by the Social Security Administration in Hammond.  He also worked at Purdue University in the Registrar's office.  In 1978 he established Hawkins Rail Services, which he proudly operated 40 years.  It was a labor of love for him and collectors of model trains from across the country would travel to Lafayette to visit his store and see his legendary 131 car coal train.

Jack grew up in the Otterbein United Methodist Church, was a long-standing member of the Union Pacific Railroad Historical Society, member of National Model Rail Roader Association, longtime past president of the Wildcat Valley Rifle and Pistol Club, Life Member of the NRA, an instructor for Tippecanoe County 4-H Shooting Sports, member of the Eggs and Issues Breakfast Club, active in local Republican politics, and responsible for many people running for public office. He was also a member of the Lafayette Gang Prevention Task Force, and an avid reader. He was a prolific photographer with a slide collection exceeding 100,000, mostly of the Union Pacific. Lots were taken on trips with fellow train enthusiasts and his daughters. He entered many photography competitions. He also regularly competed in the long range 600 yard and 1000 yard national matches at Camp Perry. He inspired many people of all ages to succumb to the model railroading "bug" as he liked to call it.

Surviving are: two daughters; Eileen (Matthew) Dashiell of Lewisville, TX and Ellen (Troy) Milligan of West Lafayette, two grandchildren; Jacob and Katherine Dashiell.

And niece and nephew; Beverly Porter (Mike) of Holly Springs, North Carolina and Robert Fry of West Lafayette. Grand nieces and nephew; Meghan Chute, Becca Porter, and Daniel Porter.

A sister, Joyce Scolley of Attica.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and half-brother John Marshall Hawkins.

There will be a gathering of family and friends, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Saturday, June 18, 2022, with a memorial service at 1:00 PM at Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate with Pastor Dean R. Snyder officiating.  Interment will follow in Mount Gilboa Cemetery, Fowler.  Memorial contributions may be directed to NMRA (National Model Railroaders Association) and Tippecanoe County 4-H Shooting Sports.  Visit us at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guest book or share a memory.