Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, Friday, March 20, 2026.
James L. “Jim” Hawkins was a loving husband, devoted father, distinguished construction attorney, international skating official, and lifelong athlete whose passions left a lasting mark on his profession and on the sports of soccer, speedskating and figure skating.
A Captain in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean conflict, Jim built a renowned career in construction law as a shareholder with Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. in St. Louis, earning recognition in The Best Lawyers in America and as a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers.
A top-ranked amateur speedskater in his youth, Jim devoted over 60 years and 14 Winter Olympic Games to the sport. He was one of the founders of what is now U.S. Speedskating, managed the U.S. team at the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, and served as legal advisor to the International Skating Union beginning in 1996. He was inducted into the Speedskating Hall of Fame in 2006, received the Olympic Order from the IOC in 2007, and was named an ISU Honorary Member in 2010. He also spearheaded the effort to build the St. Louis Soccer Park, playing competitive soccer himself until age 90.
Jim is survived by his six children and their spouses: John and Mary Jane; Julie and Greg Humme; Kathy and David Butler; Larry and Nancy; Jeff and Monica; and Michael and Deane Hawkins. He was the beloved grandfather of Shawn and Brian Hawkins; Elizabeth Brush, Jason Kellar, Michael Humme, and Kristin Schwarz; Chris and Jim Butler; Lily and Jimmy Hawkins; Andrea and Nicholas Hawkins; and Tommy and Daniel Hawkins; and cherished great-grandfather of Peyton and Cameryn Brush; Blake and Ada JoAnne Kellar; Jameson Humme; and Harrison and Penelope Schwarz. Special Papi to Margot Zambrana, Carmen, Sandra, Destiny, Alexandra, Isabella, Alejandro and Valentina. Special uncle to Melany (Art) Kniffen.
Jim is now reunited with his beloved wife of over 55 years, JoAnne Seabold, who preceded him in death in 2012. He was also preceded by daughter Susan Carol. Dear brother of the late Robert (Pauline) Hawkins, and friend to everyone. He will be deeply missed.
Services: Visitation KUTIS AFFTON Chapel, 10151 Gravois, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 4:00-8:00 PM. Funeral Mass Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 10:00 AM at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 7622 Sutherland Ave., Shrewsbury, MO 63119. Luncheon following the service at The Villas at Kenrick Clubhouse, 7410 Woodlawn Colonial Ln., St. Louis, MO 63119. In lieu of flowers, contributions appreciated to the Miriam School, 501 Bacon Ave., 63119 or Our Lady’s Inn, 4223 S. Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63111.
Rest in peace, Jim. You have earned it. I learned a lot of excellent information about life from you over the last 30 years or so. As the Obit mentions you can now join JoAnne in heaven for everlasting peace.
I was lucky to have known Jim through his daughter Kathy, who is married to my brother David. Such a persistent, goal driven person and mentor to many. Now he is out of pain and with his beloved Joanne.
Jim was a fantastic neighbor and great role model to all who followed! He was smart, athletic and always had a kind word. By his prescence, he made this world of ours a much better place. He lived his life to the fullest in so many ways and now can rejoin JoAnne for eternity!
A man of total integrity who led by example. He was respected by all and inspired
everyone to be all that they could be. A life well lived. Now it is only fitting that he
spend eternity with dear Joanne and Susan. May he rest in peace!
Jim was a wonderful and a loving soul. He will be missed.
Fondly ,
Nancy Spehr
Mr. Jim Hawkins was one of the most inspiring person I’ve ever met full of knowledge and wisdom and I appreciate all the talks, the laughs and the great memories he shared .It was my pleasure to be apart of his care team
When I think of Papi Hawkins I think of a man whose spirit was defined by strength, discipline, and unwavering determination. He lived each day with purpose, pushing himself to reach new heights, whether on the soccer field, at work or in the quiet moments when no one else was watching. His athleticism wasn’t just measured in achievements, but in the passion and dedication he poured into everything he did.
He inspired others not only through his physical abilities but through his character. He showed that perseverance is a form of love—love for the craft, love for the challenge, and love for the people who believed in him. His determination carried him through triumphs and hardships alike, and those who knew him will remember his relentless drive, his discipline, and his refusal to give up.
But above all, he will be remembered for his heart. For the encouragement he offered freely, the kindness he showed quietly, and the steady strength he gave to those around him. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, in the dreams he motivated, and in the example, he set-one of resilience, dedication, and grace.
I hope his memory continues to inspire us to push a little harder, stand a little taller, and live with the same determination he showed every day.
I love and will miss you dearly
Carmen Rosa Zambrana
To the family so sorry for your loss what a tremendous life and gift to our St Louis community. Thoughts and prayers go out to you all
When I was fourteen years old, I crossed an ocean and a border into a world that was entirely unfamiliar.
I didn’t speak the language. I didn’t know the rules. Papi Hawkins opened his door to my mom, my sister, and me, without hesitation, without condition, and made us feel like we had always belonged there.
He was the quiet strength in the room, the presence that didn’t need words to fill a space. Not the kind of man who made grand promises, but the kind who simply showed up, and in showing up, changed everything.
In a year that was the most difficult and that could have been the loneliest of my life, he was the steady ground beneath my feet. I didn’t fully understand then what it meant to have someone like that, but in time, I did.
I would go on to become an attorney, just as he was, and I like to think that somewhere in that path, his fingerprints are there. One only truly feels the weight of a cornerstone when it’s gone.
I am grateful that I, a fourteen-year-old girl, far away from home, terrified and desperate to belong, was lucky enough to find him.
Forever thankful.
Sandrita.
I am honored to have known Mr. Jim Hawkins while working with him at the Greensfelder firm. He required a work ethic far above what is required of us now. He always thought I talked too much! He found that I always got my work done in spite of “talking too much”. He was a great man and I learned much from him. My deep sympathy to his family and friends – he will be missed by all.
To the family:
I am so sorry for your loss. What a tremendous life and gift to our St. Louis community.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you all 🙏🙏
I knew him through my Aunt Margoth Z.; this is a great loss for everyone.
He was a great man with a big heart who helped everyone.
Throughs and prayers go out to you all
May God hold him in Glory.
RIP Jim 🙏🕊️🙏🫶🇺🇸🌷
To Kathy and Family,
I am sorry for your loss, but We are so much richer for his leadership and guidance.
He was a kind and wise and a trusted colleague. A remarkable man. Kathy you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mr Hawkins encouraged me to ice skate. He gave me a booklet when I was 9 about power skating. I took that to heart and ended up playing collegiate hockey before attending law school. He took me under his wing and I did intern work for him while in school. He quietly had a major influence on my life while also being a good friend to my father over decades. I grieve his loss while celebrating his life.
It has been many decades since the Waterman Avenue days, but those are some of my best memories. I loved your family, and loved babysitting at your house!
Wishing you love and joy in your memories./Carol Murray
I met Jim in 1958, when I started Speedskating as a 12 year old at the Steinberg rink. Over the years since, he greeted me with same friendly calm demeanor everytime we met.
The last time we met, was at the exact spot we first met, next to the rink at Steinberg.
He was greatly respected by the St. Louis Speedskating community, US Speedskating, the ISU, and the IOC. He will be missed. It was privilege to know him.