Ralph Theodore Hawks
Ralph Theodore Hawks, 90, who was born October 6, 1933 in Rogers City, went home to God’s loving arms Monday, February 19, 2024, and again will be with his bride of 69 years, Lorry; who passed away December 7, 2021. Ralph married Lorry Ann Sytek May 17, 1952 at Saint Mathew Catholic Church in Flint. They were high school sweethearts at St. Mathew High School where Ralph went to continue his Catholic education after leaving St. Ignatius in Rogers City when his family moved to Flint.
Young Ralph helped his mother with tuition for St. Mathews when the sisters at St. Mathew helped him find a job delivering groceries after school and on Saturdays to downtown Flint residents. Ralph and Lorry were married for 69 years and had eight children (three girls and five boys). That resulted in 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren! Ralph and his beloved wife lived in the Flint area their entire married life and had a cottage on Long Lake in Presque Isle which was Ralph’s favorite place to spend any free time.
Whether traveling in the U.S. or Europe, Ralph and Lorry never missed a Mass. In doing so, they introduced their eight children to the Catholic churches in: Alpena, Posen, Metz, Rogers City and even the Presque Isle Township hall when it held Mass in the summer, while staying at the cottage on Long Lake. Ralph enjoyed his pontoon boat and while traversing the shallows of Long Lake, he would teach his children to retrieve any garbage they found in the lake so they could eagerly take it to the old landfill on Rayburn Highway, where sometimes they would spot the bears!After graduating high school, Ralph went to work for the city of Flint as a surveyor. He also served in the National Guard and helped in the recovery efforts after the Beecher Tornado. Ralph went on to be a construction inspector for bridges and sewers for the city of Flint. He then worked for Flint Excavating Co. as a job estimator. Finally, he opened his own business, Ralph Hawks Excavating, Inc. in 1975 until he retired well into his seventies.
Ralph and Lorry attended Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Burton for over 65 years, and sent all eight of their children there through the eighth grade. They sang in church choir, Ralph was a member of the Men’s Club and Lorry a member of the Council of Catholic Women’s Altar Society, and was a librarian at the school. They wrote poetry to each other for any occasion or none at all.
Ralph was preceded in death by his lifelong love and partner, wife Lorry Ann Hawks (Sytek); by his father, Theodore Hawks; by his loving mother, Pearl Lee (Tulgetske); his stepfather, Ivan Lee; his brother Donald Depew; his sister, Patricia Mullins (Lee); and his sons-in-law, Jeffrey Payne and Stan Cagle. He is survived by his sister, Donna Bassett
There will be a visitation held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church at Bristol Road and Grand Traverse in Burton Monday, March 4, beginning at 10 a.m., followed by funeral Mass at 11 a.m. then a funeral dinner at noon for family and friends at the Holy Redeemer family life center.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Ralph’s name to the Divine Mercy Foundation, Holy Redeemer’s Father Georges’ orphanage in Cameroon. Ralph developed quite a fondness for Father Georges and his mission there. Full obituary can be viewed at www.brownfh.com in Grand Blanc.