Eugene Leslie Hawkins

 In the early morning hours of February 6, 2024, Eugene Leslie Hawkins returned home into the arms of his loving Heavenly Father, reunited with family and friends,

 Eugene "Gene” Leslie Hawkins was born June 29, 1931, in American Fork Utah to Arthur Edward Hawkins and Anna Marcell Meyer. Gene grew up in American Fork, Utah during the depression, as the youngest in a family of 17 combined siblings. His father died when he was almost 8 years old. This required his mother to work to support the family, so his brothers often had to tend to young Gene. His brothers would frequently drop him off for the day at the movie theater, and give him a dime for popcorn and treats, which instilled in him his great love for going to the movies that lasted his entire life.

 Gene loved his memories of growing up in American Fork and being a Caveman and attending American Fork High School. He lettered in football, basketball, and wrestling. He also played trombone in the high school band.

 Gene was always a hard worker. He worked on the family alfalfa farm at a young age and later at Geneva Steel. It was at the Cudahy meatpacking company where he met a beautiful young lady that worked as a comptometer that caught his eye. After dating a few short months, he married Miriam Martha Bender on October 9, 1953, and they were later sealed in the Salt Lake City Utah Temple on September 10, 1954.

 During the first few years of their marriage, Gene served in the Utah Army National Guard and Army Reserves during the Korean War. Gene had a great love for his country and was honored to serve.

 Gene attended BYU for two years and then he tried his hand at sales at New York Life Insurance and door-to-door vacuum sales. He finally chose to move to St. Louis, Missouri to attend Logan Chiropractic College at the advice of an uncle. In St. Louis Gene and Miriam lived in a small 20-foot trailer with their two young daughters until he graduated chiropractic school in 1960. Gene went to school during the day and worked as a janitor at the trailer park at night. After graduation from chiropractic college, Gene and Miriam returned to live in Satt Lake City, Utah. He built an office at 705 East and 900 south where he had a successful chiropractic practice for almost 50 years and helped many people.

 Gene was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had a strong testimony of the Savior. He served in various callings throughout his life and especially enjoyed his service as a Temple Square tour guide, and as a Bountiful Utah Temple worker.

 Gene always loved his family, movies, a clean car, sweets, and BYU sports. He's been blessed with four children, Leslie (Steve) McGowan, Susan (Glen) Dawson, David (Yise), Hawkins, Robin (Rick) Jeffrey, 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was especially proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 Gene is proceeded in death by his parents, and all his siblings.

 The family wishes to express our love and gratitude to all those who have helped care for Dad in the last few months, especially Dr. Gary Holland, Stacey, Rachel, and Ashley at A+ hospice and Cristie Sestoso.

 Funeral services for Gene will be on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 12:00 pm at the Mueller Park 2^nd Ward, 1825 South 800 East, Bountiful. Friends and family are welcome to gather for a viewing from 10:30 am to 11:30 am prior to the service. Please share your memories with his family at www.memorialutah.com.