Glenn Carl Hawks
July 7,1938 ~ January 16, 2025
Glenn passed away peacefully early in the evening in Ojai at the age of 86. He was born in Southgate, CA, the son of George Elmer Hawks and Hazel May Jessen. Not long before his birth, Glenn’s mother determined that she wanted to raise her family with some religion, so she inquired of her sister-in-law, Glenn’s Aunt Ida, regarding her faith and commitment to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hazel became converted and received baptism in the Church in 1933. The family traveled to the Mesa Arizona temple in May of 1936 to be sealed as a family. His mom’s faith and commitment had a strong and inspiring influence on Glenn’s life and posterity.
Glenn was raised on a farm in Fruita, Colorado after his family moved from Southern California when he was 7 years old. A big family in a small home, Glenn and his brother Jack even spent part of their homelife living in a chicken coop, which the boys actually cherished. The move to Colorado at such an impressionable age was particularly difficult for Glenn, and he often shared the memorable experience of being new at his school and not receiving any Valentines from his classmates. This broke his heart and from that point on, Glenn determined that he would help
others feel loved and remembered, by providing for their temporal welfare with gifts and charitable help. This earned him a cherished nickname of “Valentine Man”, indicative of his empathetic, kind and generous heart.
While in high school Glenn was a dedicated student and participated in sports, social clubs, and student government. He loved football, basketball, and track and field. He set school records in the discus and shotput. He was popular and loved by everyone—students, faculty, and coaches. After graduating from Fruita High School in 1956, Glenn moved to Salt Lake City to attend the University of Utah on a Naval scholarship to study civil engineering. It was there and at the tender age of 18 that Glenn endured the passing of his mother, whom he dearly loved.
In time, Glenn would meet the love of his life, Carol Susan Agee, a city girl from Billings, Montana. They were married and sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on June 8th, 1961. Glenn loved his “Tusie” and he became affectionately known to her as “Hubban”.
View video footage from their wedding day
After Glenn graduated from the University of Utah, the lovebirds moved to Southern California where they began having children. Glenn served in the Navy for more than 7 years and during that time, they spent a short time in San Francisco, CA, at Hunter’s Point, living in a quonset hut on the Navy base there, where Glenn as an officer in the Navy oversaw the construction of a helicopter landing pad on a destroyer ship. As he was completing a master’s degree at Long Beach State University, he worked for a civil engineering firm based in Orange county. This job led to Glenn being asked to take the lead of the Ventura office and the family moved from Garden Grove, CA to Ojai, CA in August 1970 with their four children, just 3 months after their last child was born. Within several years, Glenn took the opportunity to purchase the business, and it became Hawks and Associates.
Glenn was actively involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren, as well as in spending time serving in his church and community organizations. He loved being bishop and serving the people of the Ojai Ward in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also enjoyed serving as a worker in the Los Angeles Temple with his wife, which they did together every Wednesday night for more than 13 years. After his beloved Susie passed away in June of 2022, just two days before their 61st wedding anniversary, he would frequently share and testify of the temple and its importance in helping him feel close to her in mind, heart, and spirit.
Glenn loved Ojai and its people and spent close to 30 years as the contracted city engineer. He is credited with the design and development of the famous Ojai Trail that follows Highway 33 from downtown Ojai to the beach in Ventura., along with other notable contributions to the town. His determination to be present and supportive in the lives of his children and grandchildren was remarkable and inspired him to travel thousands of miles and dedicate as many hours watching sporting events, piano and dance recitals, talks in church, ordinances, weddings, and other performances and recognitions—not that Glenn loved those events (which he usually did), but because he loved his dear ones featured in them. This devotion to young people flowed beyond his own family into the lives of other children, youth, and young adults that were children of other parents. These dear people he also loved and wanted to show his support. Many of them today regard Glenn as a cherished friend, mentor, and ministering brother.
Glenn is survived by his sister Kay (Joe) Edwards; and children: Jim (Darla) Hawks
[grandchildren Brenton (Mallea), Bryce (Dilsye), Brady (Olivia), and Bryant]; Gail (Craig) Peterson [grandchildren Jessica (Anthony) Solis, Anna (Michael) Greenberger, Tremaine (Charity), and Samuel]; Richard (Natalie) Hawks [grandchildren Daxton (Tatiana), Tory (Kyle) Buhler, Brandt (Bre), Darcie (Mako) Bennett, and Adrienne (Cameron) Price]; and Karen (David) Hancock [grandchildren Jacynda, Katelyn (Dan), Sarah, Shannon, Lexi, Mitchell, Charles and
Lorna]; and 19 great-grandchildren. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister.
A funeral service will be held in Ojai, CA on Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 411 San Antonio Street, Ojai, CA 93023.
Zoom link:
Topic: Memorial Service for Glenn Hawks Time: Jan 23, 2025 01:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/92656875157?pwd=nC6aTXF8f0LIT69EC8fF6f020cjSD7.1 Meeting ID: 926 5687 5157 Passcode: 230157
An additional service and graveside gathering with military honors will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints adjacent to the Fillmore City Cemetery, on Friday, January 25th, 2025, at 1:00 pm, located at 290 East 500 South, Fillmore Utah, 84631.
The family wishes to thank all those who have thoughtfully and sincerely expressed their love, concern, and memories.