Ross Cooper "Rip" Hawkins

Ross Cooper (Rip) Hawkins, 76, passed away in Cheyenne Wyoming surrounded by family on July 28, 2015. He is survived by his beloved wife and partner, Mary Hawkins, 5 children, Hannah Hawkins-Esther of Atlanta, GA. Ross Hawkins Jr. of Phoenix, AZ, Bart Hawkins of Grants Pass, OR, Adriana Hawkins-Aaron of Akron, OH, Jason Lair of Greeley, CO, and 8 grandchildren, also a brother James Henry Hawkins, of Tullahoma, TN, and sister Sue Hawkins Klimoski of Jacksonville, FL. Rip was born April 21st, 1939 in Winchester Tennessee to Mary Cooper Hawkins and James Henry Hawkins and grew up in Cowan, Tennessee. He attended Sewanee Military Academy followed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Emory University Law School.

Rip was the second round draft choice of the Minnesota Vikings in 1961 and played as middle linebacker until 1965. During his tenure with the Vikings he was the first recipient of the Terry Dillon Award, served as defensive team captain, was selected to the pro-bowl in 1963 and holds the Viking record for most tackles in a single game.

Leaving a legacy of community service, Rip served as assistant district attorney for Fulton County in Atlanta, Georgia. He coached football at Regis High School in Denver, Colorado, and Hulett High School, in WY, served on the Wyoming Department of Transportation Commission and the Crook County Zoning and Planning Commission.

Rip and Mary, his wife and partner, built a log home and worked together on their ranch in Devils Tower, WY for 15 years, fulfilling one of Rip’s lifelong dreams.

Celebration of life ceremony will be held at Curt Gowdy State Park Visitor Center, Saturday August 1, 2015 @ 11:00am

In honor of Rip, his fellow football players, and all the thousands of families touched by dementia, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Lewy-Body Dementia Association ( www.lbda.org ) in lieu of flowers.