Neil Joseph Hawkinson went to be with his Lord on Saturday, April 24, 2021.  He passed away unexpectedly at his home in Akron, Colorado where he currently resided.

Neil was born on July 19, 1971 in Brush, Colorado to Kenneth Eugene Hawkinson and Barbara (Bobbi) Gail Lambertson Hawkinson.  Neil's arrival into the family completed the trio of sons that also included Scott William and Brad Miller Hawkinson.

The foundation of family meant the world to Neil.  His love for his parents and brothers was unsurpassed.  He especially loved his mother, and was often called a "mama's boy"……..at which he would just smile.  He always knew he could count on her love and support.  He currently resided with her at the time of his death.

He grew up mostly in the Akron area along with the family living in the state of Washington for a time.  In his early years, he grew up playing with his brothers, and soon inherited the name of "Smokey Joe".  The story was in playing with his two brothers, Scott always demanded to be the cowboy, and Brad the Indian.  The only thing left was someone had to be the horse.  The family horse was named Smokey and Neil's middle name was Joseph…. hence the name "Smokey Joe".  That nickname remained attached his entire 49 years of life.  Another nickname Neil also had was "Little Hawk".  His tatoo of Sitting Bull reflected his love for his Native American Heritage.

At the age of nine, Neil joined 4-H.  He always loved his animals.  He and his brothers were known to sleep with their pigs when they were close to farrowing.  He loved to ride his horse, Chip, with the Washington County Drill Team.  Riding another horse, Jake, in the Pony Express Race made a memory that was often referred to as "unforgettable".

The trio of brothers played endlessly with their lab dog, Duchess, and were found to have decorated their cats with great imagination!   One thing for sure, Neil's love of animals continued to his last day which included his puppy, Lily.

Neil was very athletic and lettered in any and all sports he took part in High School.  His favorite was wrestling along with his brothers.  After high school, Neil chose another path to go down.  He hitchhiked back and forth across the United States, with another of his beloved pets, a rottweiler named Morrison.  He visited all but three states which were Montana, Hawaii and Alaska.  At one point, he remodeled an old school bus that he named "Baby Blue".  Occasionally, he would tour with the bus and some friends.  He loved music and loved to follow concerts.  The many bands he loved and followed were:  the Doors and Jim Morrison, Phish, the Grateful Dead, and the Dave Matthews Band.

His love for music was so evident that he self-taught himself to play the harmonica.   He became quite talented and was often found entertaining family and friends when camping and other family activities.  It was very important to him to play "Amazing Grace" at a loved one's funeral.   Family and friends were more important to him than words could express.

Unfortunately, Neil had demons that he fought through his life and addiction was one of those.  He attended rehabs for recovery, including Harvest Farms in Wellington.  While there he learned to express his thoughts and feelings into writings.  Those writings are and will be an inspiration to come for family and friends.   While at Harvest Farms and attending church, he met his former wife and her daughter.     Into that union a beautiful daughter, Halle Mae was born.  Although the marriage ended in divorce, Neil said the best part of his life began with his fatherhood.  His love for the girls never ceased.

Neil loved working in the oil fields, but in doing so, it seemed to bring about the demons he constantly tried to fight and control.  Other jobs he performed including being a caddy on the golf course, a server on a cruise ship, and he had a  great desire to be a CNA and work in a nursing home.

He lived various places, including Akron, Greeley, Denver, Sterling, Wray, Windsor, Washington State and Florida.  He always shared his heart, and had a real knack in storytelling, and brought laughter to the table with whomever he was with.  There was never a dull moment if Neil was around.

He had a deep-rooted love of family, including his parents, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.  Many times he conveyed he just didn't know how to show his love to them.   They were more important to him than words could express.  Neil felt as if he could never put all the pieces of his life's puzzle into place.  Unfortunately, he never did find all the pieces, until he went to be with the Lord.  Those that knew him best, knew that he had a great love of the Lord and would often be found telling others that they need Jesus in their life.  That He was the way, the truth and the life!

Neil was preceded in death by his Grandparents, Francis (Dutch) and Margaret (Peggy) Hawkinson, Everett Lambertson, Jack and Marjory Goodwin; Aunt Patricia Bashor; Uncle Bob Worthley, Uncle Paul Wynn, and Cousins, Cullen Glosson and Blair Worthley.

He leaves behind his parents, Bobbi Hawkinson of Akron; Kenny Hawkinson of Sunset Manor, Brush; daughter Halle of Fort Collins; brothers Scott Hawkinson of Portland, Oregon and Brad Hawkinson of LaSalle, CO;  numerous aunts, uncles & cousins, along with a host of friends.  Rest in peace, Smokey Joe……..you will be missed and were loved by all!

A memorial service will be held Friday, May 14, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Akron Cemetery Gazebo. Inurnment will follow at the Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Bowin Funeral Home to help with expenses.