John L. Hawkins II

Inductee #8

John L. Hawkins, II was born in Huntington, West Virginia, and attended West Virginia public schools. He also attended Marshall University (1933-1936) and received a foundational law degree (LLB) from Washington & Lee University in 1939. He received a Certified Financial Planner certification from the University of Denver in 1974. Mr. Hawkins was admitted to the bar in West Virginia and Massachusetts. 

Mr. Hawkins served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army’s Transportation Corps (1944-1946). He practiced law in Massachusetts from 1946 until 1964. He worked at Investors Diversified Services (1964-1969) and owned John L. Hawkins & Co., Inc., (1969-1976), before joining Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida, Inc., as their executive director (1977-1979). Mr. Hawkins then became the executive director at the Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA) from 1979 until 1982. He was also a senior editor, corporate secretary, and a stockholder in Tow Times Publications. He wrote several books on the towing industry as well. As a result of his hard work in the towing and recovery industry, he was the first recipient of the International Towman of the Year award.

Mr. Hawkins was a member of the United States District Courts, Interstate Commerce Commission, Mountain Truckers, Inc., West Virginia Motor Truck Association, and the Office of Defense Transportation. He was also a founding trustee for the Hall of Fame.

Inducted: June 26th, 1986

Born: October 2nd, 1916 – Huntington, West Virginia

Family: Mildred Chelyan Huffman (wife); Grace Montgomery Hawkins (daughter), John Lee Hawkins III (son); Hannah, Dylan, Nicole, John IV (grandchildren); Frederick and Anna (parents)