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In Memory Of Our Fallen

Brothers & Sisters

 

 

It is with great sadness that we report that our Beloved Brother, Richard "Flip Flop" Hawkins has embarked on that long last great ride to the SJHR Chapter in the Sky.  On February 1, 2009, he was involved in a motorcycle accident and after almost a week of fighting, he passed away in the early morning hours of February 7, 2009.  He was a loving husband to Rhonda "Windex" Hawkins, a beloved brother to us and a great man to all.  We are extremely honored to call him brother and  he will be greatly missed.  We know that he will always be on our shoulders for every ride we make, and will watch over us all.  Please enjoy the photos below, and if you have any pictures of or stories about Flip Flop, send them to Floozie.  Be sure and sign our guest book.

 

 

 

 

Letter to Flip Flop from Windex  02-14-09
Richard, I will try not make this long and mushy. You know exactly how much I loved you. We told each other everyday. When I had very early shifts at work, such as 3:30am-12:00pm you would get upset with me if I didn't wake you up to tell you bye and that I loved you. I knew from that moment on, that we would live each day like it was the last. Little did I know, that maybe down deep you knew that the "Good Lord" might be calling on you at a young age.

Richard, you are and will always be the love of my life, and it will take a long, long time to quit longing for our laughs, passionate love, sitting at home having long talks about our days and oh yeah, you giving me a hard time about some of the movies I would pick out from Red Box.

You taught me so much about shooting guns so as Charlie (Superman) tells me, "Rhonda, watch out for them Coyotes."   Well Charlie you don't have to worry about that. ha

Richard, I had so much fun hunting, fishing, playing pool, darts, shooting guns, scuba diving, playing volleyball and trying to play golf. I'll never forget the time one evening I was drunk fussing because I wanted to go play golf with you guys early the next morning. First of all, I can't play golf and I changed my mind the next morning. You made me get my hung-over "_ _ _ _ !" up and go with you guys. Well, needless to say all of you got a big laugh when I kept getting sick and running to the nearest creek.

You were the most organized man I know. From your checkbook to your clothes drawers and oh yeh, thanks for organizing my kitchen cabinets all the time. I'll try my best to keep them neat as you did.

O.K. brothers and sisters, I could write forever about our life but we would be reading for days so, to be continued.

Richard Hawkins I'm am very proud and honored that you asked me to be your wife!!!! I love you so much, Rhonda 

 

 

Email Correspondence between  Flip Flop's Cousin, Chelle Hartman and Floozie  02-11-09

Chelle:  I am one of Richard's cousins, and I would like to tell you all that your presence at his memorial was very powerful. Thank you for sharing your love of Richard with us. Hope this finds the right path. God Bless

Floozie:  Thanks so much for your kind words. Richard (we called him Flip Flop) was one of the most awesome men I know. I personally had only known him for a few years, but in that short time he certainly had a major impact on me. He was so kind, caring, loving, compassionate, honorable...and loads of fun. Our club is dedicated to raising money for children's charities, and he was one of the hardest workers in our group. We are going to miss him more than I can ever describe. We were very proud to call him "Brother",

I am sorry that I did not have a chance to meet you this evening. Several members of the family did stop me throughout the afternoon to tell me how much they appreciated us being there. We were skeptical at first, because the perception of bikers is not always a positive one, and we certainly would never disrespect anyone in Richard's family, but he was family to us also, so we did the only thing we knew to do, show the most respect that we could, by honoring his life. He will ride with us forever.

I am working on the memorial page for him on our website. It is a slow process, because I never wanted to have to make this page. I would love to include your email on there, if you don't mind. Any other story you might like to tell about him also.

Please know that we are continuing to pray for you and your entire family, as you now deal with your grief. But I hope you all can take solace in the fact that Richard "Flip Flop" Hawkins did your family very proud...as he did ours.

Chelle:  If yesterday was any testimony to Richard's heart and life then what a powerful testimony it was. Just so that you know I never heard any kind of smack or negativity from any of the family concerning your presence. In fact, several people commented on the sound when you all drove up. They liked it! Secretly, I think all of the people that had bikes were regretting not riding them, and the ones who didn't wanted to go out and get one. The angels sang when ya'll pulled up! I completely understand your side of the coin. I belong to a fellowship and we have encountered the same exact thing. A couple of families have asked us not to participate in the memorials and though we understood and respected their wishes, it stung a bit. Reflecting back over the whole experience I am proud to say that it was "ALL ABOUT RICHARD" I don't want you to have to create Richard's memorial page either, but what an honor. Feel free to use anything of mine that you want, that's my honor. I know that Richard always loved me and my family and he wanted happiness for us. He told my Mom, Jimmie since he was little ( I think he was about 9 or 10) that he was in love with her, and he always danced with us girls when we gathered, he was always found at the kids table too! Richard makes me want to be a better person!

 

Forum Post from Comal County SJHR Member David Montgomery

  02-12-09
For a good part of 5 months we carried the same name. Whenever someone called out “Probate” we both rush to the call and see who would make it first. Either way, you were right there by my side.

Just like the trip our chapter made out to Liberty. When the rest of the chapter needed to head back home for another engagement I told everyone to go on without me and that I was going to stay and visit with some friends I hadn’t seen in a while and then ride out to Katy for a Red and Gold event. But you told everyone you were gonna stay too. It was good knowing I had a Brother right there by my side.

Later that evening we rode on home and stopped at the picnic area just pass Flantonia and much like anyone else who has ridden with me, you gave me hell about how loud and annoying my pipes were. And we laughed. One of the last conversations we had you told me you had gone out and gotten new pipes and the next time we rode together I was takin’ the right. And again we laughed.

Tuesday night on my ride home, as I was cruising down I-10, I had Zac Brown singin’ “Chicken Fried” in my head, I thought I was alone but I should have known better. Sure enough if I didn’t feel the presence of someone ridin' right there by my side.

Even though you may be gone now I will still take comfort in knowing that when I ride you will always be there right by my side. Thanks Again Brother! R.I.P. Flip Flop.

 

Email Correspondence between  Flip Flop's Sister, Susan and Floozie 

02-16-09
Hi Floozie,

I know you guys call Flip Flop your Brother, but he was my one and only Brother and I call him Bubba. Since the moment I could talk I have called him that and now I am 29 and still do.

He was/is so proud of the time he spent with the High Rollers. I am happy that he invited me into your world and you guys accepted me with open arms. Since the passing of our mother in Sept of 08 and now Bubba (Flip Flop), I have felt somewhat alone however, I've made so many new brothers and sisters throughout this experience that it has made it somewhat easier. I am proud to call you guys my family now.

I want to thank everyone for all their support and love through this time. Please take care of my sister Windex, God knows she didn't deserve this and I wish I could have stayed longer to do it myself. Thanks again, and I will see you guys soon...... Susan

Susan,

Thank you so much for the kind words. We are all continuing to pray for you and your family. Please know that we will always consider you our sister, and please holler at us when ever you are in the area. We would love to see you again.

May I use your email on the memorial page? It would mean a lot to us. I have tried to honor him with our memorial page, but want it to be more.

Don't worry about Windex, we will take care of her. She is such a special person and we love her dearly.

Thanks again, and God Bless,
Floozie

Floozie,

I would be honored if you would put me on the memorial page. The page looks great and I know he is proud. Flip Flop (Bubba) lived life to the fullest and went all out on everything he did, the High Rollers were no exception. He was closer to you guys than his family and for that I am thankful.

No matter how distant we were though I could always call on him and he would be there for me. That's what brothers do for their sisters and trust me he was no different. The way he was with his friends was even better for me as his baby sister. It may not have seemed like we were the closest siblings, but if you knew him we actually were.

Bubba, never really told people how he felt (except Rhonda (Windex)) LOL. I always tried to get it out of him, like when I would hang up the phone, I would say "I Love You"! He would just laugh and say "Bye". Then this last time I was down in November going through some of our mother's things. He took me to the airport to leave and I hugged him and said "I Love You" and he said "I Love You Too". In my entire life I can count on both hands how many time he has said it to me, but that one meant the most. That was also the last time I saw him and the last time we spoke. We texted and emailed a lot but didn't actually speak on the phone again.

Thanks again, and always remember to say "I LOVE YOU!"

Susan