A2C Langston Hawkins, United States Air Force Veteran

Langston Hawkins was born May 21, 1930 in Hernando, MS and passed away July 19, 2012, at the age of 82, at Park Bend Health Center in Austin, Texas.


Langston proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as an Airman Second Class.

After his military service, he was a landscaping artist in Angleton, Texas.

"He was a member of the South Vegetarian Society, and enjoyed their delicious food festivals and feasts.  He loved tasty  vegan foods!  On the weekends, specifically on Sunday mornings, he was a popular social and political commentator on the 'Sunday Morning Live' radio show at a local Houston radio station.

Upon his retirement from landscaping, he engaged himself into translating the book of Genesis of the Old Testament into popular day English.  His studies at the Jewish Community Center in Houston as well as his own personal research on the Old Testament enabled him tremendously towards this goal until he began to submit to the blindness that came upon him.  However, he still pursued his quest for knowledge by studying Braille and listening to audio tapes of the Old Testament and other various related publications.

 Lankston loved all kinds of music - from African American spirituals of old, the blues, jazz, country-western, rhythm & blues as well as the popular social/political hip-hop artists of the day such as Lauren Hill, Jill Scott and his beloved 'Sweet Honey in the Rock" vocal group.

Lankston moved to Austin, TX in 2011 to Park Bend Health Center.  While there he participated in various activities including Bible studies and the Senior Olympics at the University of Texas where he won a medal."










A Memorial Repast Service was held on August 17 at the Paraclete Ministries in Pflugerville, Texas, where Lankston's daughter, Anitra, and her husband are the Pastors.  After the service, the funeral procession was led by the Patriot Guard Riders of the Austin area to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas.







At the cemetery, the family was welcomed by fifty American flags blowing in the wind, and more Patriot Guard Riders.


The Riders were honored to act as the pall bearers and carefully moved the flag draped casket from the hearse to the committal shelter.  They then formed a line of American flags along the front of the shelter.

Lankston's daughter read the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20, recited the rite of commital and led the family in final prayers.

The United States Air Force Honor Guard rendered military honors. The bugler played taps.  The American flag that covered the casket was carefully folded into the traditional triangle and presented to Lankston's family on behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force, and a grateful nation, for the faithful and dedicated service of Lankston to his country.




Lankston Hawkins, a veteran of the United State Air Force, was then laid to rest, as the American flag flew at half-staff, in his honor, at the top of the hill.

Left to cherish his memory are three daughters, two sons, twelve grandchildren and a host of other dear family and friends.



With thanks to All Faiths Funeral Service of Austin, Texas for biographical information and photograph.