October 2, 1934 – November 4, 2025
Ralph ‘J’ Hawks passed away peacefully at his Moab home surrounded by his loving family on November 4, 2025, at the age of 91.
The fourth of eleven children, Ralph was born in Moab on October 2, 1934, to Thyrill and Leona (née Black) Hawks, delivered by Doc Allen. His original birth certificate identified him as “Baby Boy Hocks.” It only took forty-four years to obtain an official birth certificate with the correct names and spellings.
Ralph spent much of his life in Moab, graduating from Grand County High School in 1953. Shortly thereafter, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving two years in the Korean conflict.
While on leave, he returned to Moab and, on very short notice, convinced his sweetheart, Marylin Thomson, to marry him in March of 1956. With bemused parents and a few others in attendance, they wed at Marylin’s parents’ home (the Thomson ranch house) just in time for Ralph to return to Camp Pendleton.
After an honorable discharge from the military, Ralph returned to Moab and began a family with Marylin while living in a small trailer parked on the Thomson ranch. He went to work for the newly established Uranium Reduction Company for the next 14 years, at the mill and various mines. During this time, he became increasingly interested in the safety aspects of mining and eventually spent 25 years working with the Mine Safety and Health Administration, traveling to Missouri, Louisiana, Utah, and Florida, where he also obtained an associate degree in Applied Science, specializing in Electronic and Computer Engineering Technology.
Upon retiring, he returned to Moab to be closer to family, residing in the old Thomson ranch house where he and Marylin were first married.
A central theme of his life involved planning activities for his growing family, then keeping an eye on the little ones while everyone else played and enjoyed themselves. Throughout much of his adult life, Ralph championed youth development and sportsmanship as a church leader and community coach for little league baseball, soccer, softball, basketball, and many other activities.
He loved spending time in the La Sal Mountains on family hunting and fishing trips, campouts, reunions, and get-togethers. Early on, he was active in archery, bowling, and golf, and in his later years became a skilled gardener, avid canner, and prolific quilt maker.
He is survived by his wife Marylin; four children, Brent (Mary Carol, deceased), Steve (Jaylyn), Christine (Mike) Holyoak, and James (Wynette); four sisters, Merlene (Darrel) Dalton, Sharon (Jay) Woodruff, Cathy (Tony) Martineau, and Carol (Tom) Somerville; and sisters-in-law Cecilia Thomson and Pat (Boyd) Hawks. He leaves behind 22 grandchildren (many with spouses), and an ever-growing number of great-grandchildren.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond (Merlyn), Kay (Barbara), Boyd (Sue), and Stanley; sisters and brothers-in-law, Geraldine (Ira) Sly and Gwen (Donald) Grant; and brothers-in-law, Doug Thomson and Dale (Merlene) Mosher.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 15 at 11:00 a.m. at the Moab LDS Stake Center (701 Locust Lane). A viewing will be held Friday, November 14 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Spanish Valley Mortuary and one hour prior to services at the Moab LDS Stake Center. Interment will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at SpanishValleyMortuary.com or SVMC.us.
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