Alexander "Alex" Sidney Hawes

Alexander "Alex" Hawes, age 82, passed away of cancer on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at his home in the Atlanta neighborhood known as East Atlanta.  Alex was born in Elberton, GA, in 1940 to the late Peyton and Virginia (née Smith) Hawes.  After graduating from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA, he attended Georgia Tech where he was a member of the SAE fraternity.  After graduation, he served in the United States Air Force as a physicist in the Air Force Sustainment Center’s Rocket Propulsion Laboratory.  He was decorated with the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, and the Missileman Badge.  Following his service in the Air Force, he returned to Georgia Tech, graduating with a master’s degree in nuclear engineering.  Over the course of his career, Alex was involved in the development of nuclear power plants throughout North and South America.  Always an enthusiastic skier, runner, and traveler, in retirement he and his wife Peggy continued traveling, often accompanied by their grandchildren.  Among the most memorable trips were an archeological dig in Thailand as well as several trips to Spain for the running of the bulls.  Unfortunately, Covid restrictions prevented him from making a final run in Pamplona the year he turned 80.

Alex is survived by his wife, Peggy; his stepchildren, Edgar Smith (Deedee) and Jacqueline Landa; his grandchildren, Virginia, Maggie and Sophia Smith; William, Victoria, and Elizabeth Landa; his sister, Mary Minor Brown; his nieces and nephews, Taylor Hawes (Rob Buirgy), Greg Hawes (Rachael Ryan), Mariah Spengler (J.O.), and Robert Brown (Sarah);  a great niece and numerous great nephews.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Peyton S. Hawes, Jr.; his sister-in-law, Mary; his brother-in-law, Bo Brown; and his grandson, Walter Crawford Smith.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either a church of your choice or:

The Southwest Indian Foundation, Water Project

100 Coal Ave

Gallup, NM 87301

The World Central Kitchen

200 Massachusetts Ave NW, 7th floor

Washington, DC 20001

The service will be at 2:00pm, Saturday, May 13th at St. Albans with burial to follow at Heardmont.  Although he was a quiet man, Alex would have wanted everyone to gather after the service to share in fellowship and food.  With that in mind, after the service at Heardmont, you are invited to Lazy Acres to the former home of Mary Minor and the late Bo Brown and the current home of Robert and Sarah Brown and their boys.

Arrangements for Alexander "Alex" Hawes are in the care of Hicks Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Elberton.