Weldon Barnes Hawkins

BURLEY - Weldon Barnes Hawkins, age 93, of Burley, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012 at the Safe Haven extended care facility in Burley, after a short illness.

Weldon, the 4th youngest of a family of eight children, was born on Sept. 4, 1919 in Bridge, Idaho, to Jedediah Thomas and Mary Edith Barnes Hawkins. Weldon grew up in Rupert, Idaho, where the family relocated when he was about 2 years old. Weldon graduated from Rupert High School in 1937 and Idaho State College of Pharmacy in 1941. While working in his first drug store in Shelley, Idaho, he met his eternal partner, Virginia Harker, and they were married in the Logan Utah LDS Temple on July 15, 1942. They moved to Preston, Idaho, where Weldon worked in the local drug store. Their first son, Robert, was born in 1943. They moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Weldon worked in a pharmacy before being accepted into medical school in Cleveland, Ohio. They spent the next five years in Cleveland where their second son, David, was born in 1948. They moved to Pocatello, Idaho, in 1949, where they owned Gate City Pharmacy and other businesses until 1970. During these years, they raised their sons while working in their businesses and enjoying the abundant outdoor life found in Southeastern Idaho. Weldon was an avid fisherman and also loved to hunt – especially pheasants. The family was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where Weldon held numerous positions of leadership and teaching.

After 1970, Weldon and Virginia lived in Twin Falls, Cedar City, Utah, Burley, and Idaho Falls, Idaho, where they made many new friends in the medical profession and in the church. After retirement, Weldon and Virginia traveled to St. George, Utah, during the winter months of 1984 through 1994, where they enjoyed friendships and work in the temple. Weldon taught himself the art of taxidermy during these years and turned out many beautiful animal, bird, and fish mounts for friends and family.

Virginia passed away in 2007 in Idaho Falls leaving Weldon without his partner of 65 years. Weldon was also preceded in death by six of his brothers and sisters, accept for his younger brother, Gerald, who still lives in Rupert, Idaho.

Weldon is also survived by his two sons, Robert Hawkins of Boise, and David, and his wife Coleen, of Portland, Oregon; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Weldon moved to Highland Estates Assisted Living and later Safe Haven in Burley, following the loss of his long time soul mate, to be closer to his family.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Pocatello.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday at Rasmussen Funeral Home.

Condolences can be sent to the family in the care of Rasmussen Funeral Home at rasmussenfh@pmt.org or mailed to Rasmussen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 878, Burley, ID 83318.