John Hawley

Retired Navy Capt. John G. "Jack" Hawley, 80, of Whidbey Island, Wash., a major contributor to the "Intruder Legend," made his final launch Tuesday, April 1, 2014, following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born March 25, 1935, in Cape Girardeau.

Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy for two years, during which he played football on station teams and distinguished himself as an athlete and dedicated sailor.

He continued in the Naval Reserve while obtaining a degree at the University of California-Long Beach. Jack then successfully completed the Aviation Officer Candidate program and was commissioned in February 1962.

After receiving his NFO wings Jack traveled to NAS Whidbey Island where he served as a bombardier/navigator in the A-3B Skywarrior, in VAH-6. He then traveled to NAS Oceana, Va., where he was among the initial cadre to be trained in the then-new A-6A Intruder at VA-42. Following training and instructor qualification with VA-42, he returned to Whidbey Island to serve as an instructor in the newly formed West Coast training squadron, VA-128.

Then followed two combat cruises with the "Boomers" of VA-165, in which Jack served as combat tactics officer and was instrumental in the fleet introduction and operation of the A-6C aircraft.

In July 1972 Jack reported to Fleet Intelligence Center, Pearl Harbor, where he served as head of Security Division Intelligence. He then returned to the Intruder community as assistant operations officer in VA-128, the Whidbey Island fleet replacement training squadron. Jack next volunteered for the Overseas Family Residency Program, where he joined VA-115, embarked on USS Midway and journeyed with that ship to its new home port in Japan.

Follow-on tours at the U.S. Air Force's Air Command and Staff College, and on the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff at Offutt AFB prepared him to return to sea, this time as executive officer and then commanding officer of the VA-34 "Blue Blasters". Subsequently, Jack served as chief staff officer, Medium Attack Wing ONE and then as U.S. Naval attaché to Australia. His pay-back tour was at the Pentagon, serving in the J-3 Division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His final tour of active duty was in San Francisco, as chief of staff, commander Naval Base San Francisco. Jack retired from active duty in July 1989.

Jack then returned to beautiful Whidbey Island where he was reunited with his many friends and large extended family. He enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing and traveling; however, keeping up with the busy lives and activities of two daughters, a stepdaughter, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren gave him life's greatest joy.

He was a warrior, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and beloved friend. He was a man of great integrity, with a kind and generous heart, and he was a true shipmate.

"Captain Jack" made his final journey in the devoted care of his wife, Pat, his loving family and his close friends, who kept watch over him, comforted him, sang to him and prayed for him during his final days. There can be no greater tribute to a man's life than the love that filled the Hawley home during Jack's closing chapter.

Private interment and a memorial service are tentatively planned for Monday.

Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home in Oak Harbor, Wash.

Please consult their website for additional details.