Ryan Hawkins
Michael “Ryan” Hawkins gained his angel wings on Thursday September 24, 2020 in Austin, Texas.
A long-time resident of both Austin and Beaumont his life seems too short to many, but those who were touched by him understand that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives.
Ryan Hawkins was born in Beaumont, Texas on June 17, 1971. He attended Caldwood Elementary, Odem Middle School and West Brook High School. He attended Texas A&M and graduated from Lamar University.
Ryan was an avid sports fan. Especially of the Houston Astros and New Orleans Saints (even when they were the Aint’s). A gentleman, a gadabout, a true original, Beaumont boy, a special kind of peace maker, memory maker, friend maker, bringer of joy, relentless charmer, dancing fool, connoisseur of boudin balls, collector of records, extraordinary fan of music but a terrible musician no matter how hard he tried, cool as can be like the definition of cool, lover of life and good food gathering all those around him like a family table, a heart and smile as big as Texas, making life brighter, bringing joy, adventure, love, laughter and light, One of a kind and always kind, instantly likable, always unforgettable, and no matter how MAD he made you, you had to absolutely LOVE Hawk.
If the measure of a man is the friendships he leaves behind, our dear, funny, kind, caring, witty friend Ryan is beyond measure. A surprise knock at the door or ring of the phone from Ryan and your day was suddenly off the tracks in the very best of ways. With a smile and a wink, any stranger became a friend. And he was the greatest of friends to everyone. If you knew him, you loved him. If he knew you, he wanted to know all about you, embracing what you loved, your heart and soul. A friend’s friend to the end; always looking out for everyone. One of those rare few that was happier to see his friends succeed than himself.
He lived life like every day was Fat Tuesday, to the absolute fullest. Some people live longer, but he filled his cup. Any day that you were lucky enough to be swept up in his adventure is a memory you will cherish. I hope we can all carry some of that Hawkins magic with us every day. Thank you for the moments together, the ridiculous laughter and the unwavering friendship. There will never be another you, and we are all better for having loved you.
“Never on schedule, always on time.” Ryan Hawkins
A gathering of Ryan’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 2, 2020, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 3, 2020, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Coronavirus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov.
Video
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- 4955 pine st beaumont tx 77703
Funeral Service
Funeral Service
- 2000 mcfaddin avenue beaumont tx 77701
- 10/03/2020
- 2:00 pm
A Gathering of Ryan's Family and Friends
A Gathering of Ryan's Family and Friends
- 2000 mcfaddin street beaumont tx 77701
- 10/02/2020
- 4:57 pm
Comments
Travis Kimler
The brightest light in the room! You are so loved Hawkdiggity. Keep a Hawk Eye on us from above my friend. I feel better knowing you are watching. Luv you bud! Godspeed ?
Matthew Dexter
What a great tribute to a great guy. Ryan truly was a unique individual, just like his father. I have fond memories of spending summers with Hawkins family growing up and going to Aggie games. May God bless you, Kyle, and all of Ryans friends. We are all better because we had the privilege of knowing and experienced him. He made our world a better place to be. I trust the Hawkins family will find peace during these trying times, - Matthew Dexter, Houston, Tx.
Juli Sholar
I knew Ryan in high school and always was amused by him. In 2001 he was living in the New Orleans area while working for a few months when we accidentally ran across each other. He ended up living with us for those months and I got to know him much better than before. What fun times those were! Ryan made an impact in so many lives. He will be missed.
Erin Dexter Spring
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Absolutely gone too soon!
Sandra McNeill
Hawkins brought smiles to all. He gave the best hugs and he was such a unique dancer. He had a kind heart and made you feel welcome. When I first met him he embraced me Ian’s took me in his heart. Along with my husband Jeff he took Jack, my son to his first Astros game and gave him his first baseball to him. Jack cherishes that baseball still and that memory will live long with Jack. We love you Hawkins! May you flow heavenly with the angels and teach them a thing or too.
Marianna Stivers
What a blessing to know you, Ryan.! You taught all of us how to live life and love people. Rest In Peace, my friend. You will be missed.
Laurie Pfeifer
I loved Ryan and I’m mad he’s getting out of losing that 10 pounds with me. I pray he watches out for all of us and Ruby finds some peace. What a great loss for us.
Jeff McNeill
Ryan and I. became friends very early in high school, and it didn’t take long for a lifetime worth of friendship to form. We shared many adventures, from long sailing trips in the GOM to ill advised bike rides to Sunrise in the heat of summer.. He always impressed me with his southern gentlemanly charm, generosity towards others and a lagniappe of world trivia. He even gave my son his first baseball after inviting us to an Astros game one evening.. He impacted every moment of everyone’s life as long as they were around him, and his early departure from this world will impact every moment of my life from this day forward. There’ll never be another Ryan Hawkins, he was a true original.
Helen Dexter
We have lost a great person on earth, but one who will definitely make heaven a happier place when we get there. One of a kind, Michael Ryan, how you were loved by everyone who knew you. The Dexter’s were among the blessed to have you in our life. We are with you in spirit for always.
Shawn Clary
The world last a great guy.
Jessica Lynn
Sending love and light to you Kyle and your family as you celebrate a life lived to the fullest. Wish I could be there in person, but I am there in spirit. Much love and comfort, Jessica
Stephanie Glass Flatten
What a beautiful, original, and fitting tribute to Ryan. I originally met Ryan through Casey and Clark Winslow and was charmed by him at once. It wasn't long before I realized my life intersected his in ways too great to list.. Whenever I ran into him - at a ShinyRibs gig, May Pole celebration, reunion, or restaraunt -my day was always made brighter. I am genuinely sorry for the loss of all who loved him.
Heather Phillips
Love you, Ryan. In our hearts forever. I would love to donate to a charity or entity that was close to Ryan’s heart. Will that be shared at some point? Also, will Shinyribs do a tribute concert? Love, Heather
Becky Day
I'm so sorry for your loss. Your words describe Ryan perfectly. I will miss him. Sincerely, Becky Day Austin. Texas
Rashay Welborn McDaniel
You will be deeply missed. My friend. We will keep the music playing and the boudain hot! Thank you for always supporting me. Thank you for being such a genuine person. Thank you for sharing your light with me. You will forever be my buddy. Put a good word in for the rest of us. I pray you were welcomed as graciously as you deserved. If anyone made it to heaven.. I know you did. We will miss you. All my love and friendship, Shay
Dusty Byrd Montagna
I have come to realise that many of my life changing, notable moments in my early adult life, you were there. I wish we had shared one last dance. Thank you for it all.
Todd Langston
The world got a little less interesting this week. You will be missed sir. God rest your soul my friend.
Gregory Rice
Fly high, Hawk.....you were definitely one of a kind and this world is a little less bright without you here!
Jennifer Rumsey
Ryan, you and I became close in the months of the quarantine, and I am so grateful for that friendship. The thing that impressed me the most about you, besides your obvious wit and intelligence, was your dedication to living your life fully, experiencing the joy and wonder of nature, and bettering yourself. You were a great cheerleader and remote walking buddy on my daily walks. You knew that I longed to be able to explore the lovely natural places that you so loved, and you would include me in many of your daily treks and adventures. You even sent me videos of your kayaking journeys, narrated in your unforgettable voice, that would make me feel as if I was able to explore with you. Thank you for being such a thoughtful friend, entertaining conversationalist, and deep thinker. My life is better because I got to know you, Ryan, and you are missed.
Richard Mealer
My sincere condolences to the family. May God give you peace and comfort during this time.
Sam Gwynn
"The crowd is his element, as the air is that of birds and water of fishes. His passion and his profession are to become one flesh with the crowd. For the perfect flâneur, for the passionate spectator, it is an immense joy to set up house in the heart of the multitude, amid the ebb and flow of movement, in the midst of the fugitive and the infinite. To be away from home and yet to feel oneself everywhere at home; to see the world, to be at the centre of the world, and yet to remain hidden from the world—impartial natures which the tongue can but clumsily define. The spectator is a prince who everywhere rejoices in his incognito. The lover of life makes the whole world his family, just like the lover of the fair sex who builds up his family from all the beautiful women that he has ever found, or that are or are not—to be found; or the lover of pictures who lives in a magical society of dreams painted on canvas. Thus the lover of universal life enters into the crowd as though it were an immense reservoir of electrical energy. Or we might liken him to a mirror as vast as the crowd itself; or to a kaleidoscope gifted with consciousness, responding to each one of its movements and reproducing the multiplicity of life and the flickering grace of all the elements of life." --Charles Baudelaire
Christina Joyner
Ryan was a charming young man who drew people to him like magic. His spirit will live on in the friendships he made.
Joe Winston III
I am grateful to have shared in your energy and spirit. I loved you from the minute we met. Godspeed, my friend. Bring it on Home.
John Duerler
Kyle, I am so sorry to hear the passing of Ryan. I remember your wonderful Mother and riding in her car with Ryan to different events for Vincent Jr High. You guys were good hearted boys that grew into good men. I am humbled and honored to have the memories with your family.
Sarah
Gone too soon. Prayers to Ryan's family.
Audrye Hodges
Love you Ryan! We always had the best time with LOTS of laughter!! I'll never forget you busting that ridiculous u-turn on Lucas and chasing us down that day! I''l also never forget you destroying my bathroom years ago!! So many good times!! You will be missed, friend!
Alicia Pirtle
I was so sad to hear about Ryan passing away. I ran into him early one Saturday morning at my HEB in Austin a few years back.. I had run in with my baseball cap and sweats with no intention of seeing anyone. He came right up to me and said, "Alicia! It's Ryan!" I couldn't believe it. It had easily been at least 15 years since I'd seen him.. He was just as sweet and personable as he ever was. We spent about 10 minutes catching up and I thought for sure I'd run into him more often, but sadly never did. We had so many fun times in high school laughing, listening to the Beatles, dancing, hanging out at Matt Hall's, spending time at "the island', cruising Crystal Beach, going to parties, and so much more. Ryan was always the life of the party, yet had such a kind soul, and I am blessed I knew him.. I will never forget Ryan and will always have a special place in my heart for him.. - Alicia (Livesay) Pirtle
SHEILA BROCK
Always the life of the party. Endless childhood memories. May you rest in peace.
Iris Paris Mia Haro
Dear Ryan, You are the most amazing person that we ever met. Your wild, unique, silly, charismatic, emphatic personality carved our paths immensely. Your memory will always be with us forever. Every adventure with you was fantastic and we never wanted to end it. Every Texas state park and most simple but straightforward places in Texas will remind us of you. We dreamed a lot together, but sadly, you left too soon, leaving our to-do list unfinished. I promise you that we will finish our plans on our own. It ill be challenging, but we will do our best. If I have to describe all the wonders with you, I would never finish; they haven't invented some intriguing words to represent you. Thank you for loving us as much as we did. Every moment with you was incredible. There is only one thing I regret: not having enjoying you 24/7 knowing you would leave us. The most beautiful gesture from you: loving my kids as if they were ours. Your love, patience, and understanding were the perfect gifts we ever receive after years of loneliness. Team Ha-Ha
Chris Hymel
Knew him for 35 years, so many adventures, yet this is the only one that would make it past the screener: On discovering I had never attended an Astros baseball game, Hawkins convinced me to do the "right thing", play hooky from work and attend next day's game. Unauthorize seating, choking on hot-dogs, animated Hawkins shouting out a barrage of baseball statistics... never a dull moment!
Annmarie Cessac
It was an absolute blessing to know you, sweet Ryan. Such a bright light! You will be missed.
Sarah Hull
Ryan was one of the rare people in this world, that when you saw or talked to him made you feel like everything is right in the world. RIP friend.
Vanese Berry
He was a genuine spirit! My condolences to his family and close friends. WB’ ‘89
Suzanne Troeger
This has been heavy on my heart. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen Ryan in person. I have always enjoyed Ryan’s posts and following his adventures. This tribute to Ryan is truly amazing, but I I would have to say that Ryan filled the cup of so many others. The outpouring of love and friendship that I have seen this week is a testament to what he meant to everyone. .
Nancy and Bill Hale
Our prayers are with Ryan’s family and many, many friends. It hurts to lose someone so young.
mike mcaleer
I think about the fond memories i had teaching you and the other students in the 5th period Social Studies class at Odom. May you rest in peace.
Marty and Jackie Ballard
Thoughts and prayers for your family. Such a nice and fun guy. Gone way too soon. May you Rest In Peace.
Shannan Ambres Pete
Ryan you will truly be missed. May you keep them laughing in Heaven. Until we meet again, my friend.
Pablo Reyna
Prayers and blessings to all of the loved ones whose lives he touched. Ryan always had a smile and in good spirits. He made me laugh every time we worked together. His motivation and energy was infectious. Ryan, you will be missed. May everyone in the lives you touched be blessed and watched over.
Kristy Morgan Clearman
Been social distancing from social media for the past few months, so I was shocked to hear of Ryan's passing recently. Always smiling & a peppermint in his mouth ~ that's the sweet memory I have from our high school days. Reaching out to me for a songwriter's festival back in 2011 ~ that's the last time I saw him, still always smiling. Thoughts & prayers for the Hawkins family.
Will Nichols
Hawk, when I was a surly teenager you were guy with the contagious smile. So glad we connected again as adults back here in Beaumont became better friends. Miss you buddy but I know you're blessed and in a better place.. You will never be forgotten.
Noelle Morgan
My heart goes out to Ryan's family and friends. Ryan was a genuine spirit. When I remember him, I can't help but smile.