DeAndre Hawkins

DeAndre Ron-Rico Hawkins, Sr., journey of life began Thursday, November 07, 1968, and was completed on Friday, February 07, 2025, at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI, due to heart complications. He was born and raised on the west side of Detroit Michigan by his mother, Sandra Jean Hawkins. In his early years of life, he also helped raise several of his siblings. At the age of 17, he moved to Bay City, MI and lived at the Parmeder House he remained in Bay City for many years, gaining a multitude of friends and family. 

DeAndre always wanted a football team, of children and his parenthood as a father began with his daughter, Denisha, son, DeAndre II, and daughter, Brianna. In 1995 DeAndre married his ex-wife, Kelly Hawkins, and they moved to Grand Rapids, MI. together they created their son, Desmond, and their daughter, Kenydra. Sadly, they suffered the tragic loss of their daughter, Khadijah, at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, three hours after her birth. While in his arms, DeAndre sang "This little light of mine." to his baby girl, until she died. He later became the father of Dre, Deigo, Antonio, D'Angelo, Simone, and Veronica. DeAndre loved all his children dearly.

While living in Grand Rapids, MI, he worked for Rockford Fosgate where he made speakers and boom boxes on the assembly line. He loved working there and he still has a boom box to this day. He also worked at Warehouse Logic, where he was a Forklift Driver and later became a foreman of the entire warehouse and he worked  at the Bissel Steam Cleaners Business. When he lived in Bay City, MI, he started his own towing business called Hawkins Towing Service and he had his own building to perform car washes in as well. Upon his final move from Grand Rapids, he moved back to Bay City and later resided in Saginaw, MI.

DeAndre was a happy person and had a smile that would light up the room. His smile was contagious and when you saw him, you couldn’t help but smile back at him. He was a fun, loving, and genuine individual who went the extra mile for his children, his family, and his friends. He was also a very stubborn man. He stood strong about what he believed in and would not allow anyone to tell him differently. He was passionate about God and his spiritual beliefs, and he didn't get involved in drama. It wasn't often that people could get a rise out of him to make him mad unless he felt disrespected.

He loved to look fresh and clean, from the top of his head to the tip of his toes, he was a sharp-dressed man. He didn't wear a lot of jewelry, but he always wore a watch. He was never a cheap man. He bought the best of everything for himself, his children, and his grandkids.

DeAndre was a great-grandpa and loved his grandkids with all his heart and soul. He looked at them with so much hope and love. He always wanted a second chance to raise and love children and to be loved, and as a loving surrogate dad and grandpa to many children, they also loved him back.

He appreciated his family and traveled across the United States to get to them from Detroit, New Jersey, Atlanta, and Mississippi, he was all over the place with his family. Family was very important to him, and he loved being around them. He found his place with his family, and he was so happy about that. We will all truly miss him, and we will never forget him.

He leaves to cherish his memory within their hearts:

Children: Denisha (Ramon) Deleon, DeAndre Ron-Rico Hawkins II, Brianna Ahrens Desmond Hawkins, Kenydra Hawkins, Dre Hawkins, Deigo Hawkins, Antonio Hawkins, D'Angelo Hawkins, Simone Clark, and Veronica Garcia,

Grandchildren: Kashis Lee Jackson, Desmond Elijuhah, Ameen (Ducie) Hawkins II, Sophia Newson, King Newson, Safari Newson, Andre Deleon, Victoria Deleon, Jalen Deleon, Kaiyson Jay Cook, Onyx Lee Hawkins, Aaniyah Hawkins, and Leianna Sevilla.

Siblings: brothers, Sean Thompson, Ron “Ferron Hawkins” (Denise) Fields, and Santez Dennis Hawkins (Johnson); sisters, Chantele Patrice Bunting and Tiffany Lonyett Tate.

Bonus Children / Grandchildren: Karli Peterson and Averie Powell, Mario Bradley Sr. and Mario Bradley Jr., Aleyonna Neal, Alexander Jackson, Hermogenes Agloro, Dalana Wagner, and Janessa Wainwright.

God Brother: Kip Ealey and goddaughters; Ebony Robinson, Matina Bell, and Chondrea Cole

Dedicated Friends: Kelly Hawkins, Angie Clipper, Sorina Jackson, Slyvia Cole, Dwane McCants, Kelli Robinson, Vanessa Bliss, Mazina Bell, Lee Median, Cory Brown, Micheal Holder, Billy Broaden, Tammy Wilkins, Ida Wilkins, Onie Taylor, Jessie Dawkins, and Ashley Logan.

Close Cousins: Kenyada Saunders, Keith Saunders, Kevin Saunders, Leonard "J.R." Collins, Nikeisa Saunders, Jayce Ware, Kwamise Saunders Sorrells, and Aretha Trice.

DeAndre was preceded in death by his mother, Sandra Jean Hawkins; daughter, Khadijah Amiee’ Hawkins; aunt, Patricia Ann Saunders; uncle, Leland Hawkins; and special loves, Winifred Jackson (mother-in-law) and Mrs. Cora “Big Mamma” Triplett; and best friend, Bryant McCain.