Jeff Hawkins

A standard song is typically made up of the following: an introduction, multiple verses, chorus, bridge, and outro. And though the life of Jeffrey (Jeff) Clark Hawkins has been far from typical, his story echoes that of a song. It weaves through the verses of life with a continued chorus molded by his love of music.

The world heard his introduction on September 19, 1957, where he was born in Kansas City, Kansas to parents Elizabeth (Betty) Martha Northstrom and Lonnie Don Hawkins. His first verse was nearly as ornery as they come, where he most notably snuck out of the house, wandered across the street, and gobbled up a chocolate cake at the neighbors. And as the older brother to both Neal and Brad Hawkins, the shenanigans rarely ceased and the song of Jeff’s life was off to a rocking start.

This verse of early life was written to the beat of sports and music. He played both on the field and stage, illuminated under the Friday night lights as a Shawnee High linebacker, and later that evening as the guitarist for the bands Sage and Zeabra. After graduating from high school in 1975, he attended the University of Central Oklahoma on a football scholarship, yet he soon realized he preferred the late-night strike of the chords of a guitar to that of the football field, so he hung up his UCO helmet and earned his Bachelors of Business from Oklahoma State University instead.

And thus, the enduring chorus of his life had been written. The notes were struck. And his passion for music shaped his life’s song.

His second verse was etched by his love of music and future family. Though Jeff did not yet know the legacy he was launching, he first opened the doors to Music Unlimted in 1978, a music store that has served thousands of customers between Stillwater, Oklahoma City, and Shawnee over its 47 years. Music is a way of life at the store, with instruments, lessons, repairs, singer-songwriter nights, and conversations to “talk gear” always offered.

This same verse transitioned him from musician to family man. In 1983, Jeff married his high school sweetheart, DeAnn McDonald, and the two stepped in tempo with one another in the launching of their careers and life together. From water-skiing to hands of spades with friends, they created their own sound, and 12 years after the doors to Music Unlimited opened, their son, Robert Derek Hawkins made his debut. Derek and Jeff were the ultimate duo, winning a Little League National Championship, a high school diploma, and a lifetime of memories, sticking together even through the unexpected death of DeAnn in 2013.

During both life’s major and minor chords, music gave Jeff the space to clear his mind, find continued success, challenge his strengths, pass lonely nights, and inspire others with his ability to recall the most obscure facts about bands.

His life’s bridge came in his serendipitous reuniting with fellow Shawnee High alum, Joni Barnes. The two were married in 2016, and they embodied the need for an eighth day to be added to the week to encompass their love and give them enough time together (all rights given to The Beatles). This bridge’s key changed with the arrival of seven grandchildren, who lovingly refer to the rock and roller as Papa Jeff and Pop Pop, though not Coach to his chagrin.

Countless guitars, harmonicas, saxophones, flutes, drum sets, ukuleles, recorders, kazoos, and egg shakers have passed through the hands of his family over the years because of his love of music, and his song plays on in each of them.

On March 20, 2025, Jeff’s passing reunited him with his father Lonnie, and late wife, DeAnn. And his enduring song is still being sung by his surviving family: wife Joni, son Derek, mother, Betty, brothers, Brad and Neal, step-daughters, Tiffany Pittman and husband Joshua, Cailin Werner and husband Cole, Elizabeth Stingley and husband Justin, as well as Jeff’s grandchildren: Josiah, Garrett, Emma, Colten, Cyler, Caden, and Luciella.

Though the time came all too soon, his talent and memory are celebrated by many, and in the words of fellow musician Lola Rose Myers, “Heaven just got a little bit louder.”

For his outro, please join us for his funeral service, which will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Life.Church Shawnee (5113 N. Harrison Ave., Shawnee OK 74804). A celebration of life reception will be held at Music Unlimited following the funeral service. All who wish to attend are welcome, honoring the next song he will write.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you honor his memory with a donation to the Red Dirt Relief Fund, a nonprofit that supports Oklahoma musicians in critical need.