Mason was born on November 29, 2004, to his loving parents Brad and Hydee Hawkins. Mason’s best friend was his big brother Harris. Each other’s heros, they shared a love of family, faith, friends and sports; especially basketball and fishing. Mason brought so much joy and laughter to his family and friends. He was authentic and his own guy. Mason’s curly hair, infectious smile, and wicked sense of humor stood out. Often quiet, he preferred to take everything in. Mason always gave 100% whether it was academics, sports, work, friendships, basketball, fishing, or vacation. A talented and tenacious Henry Clay High School basketball player, Mason helped lead his team to the Sweet 16 his junior year and was named to the Academic All State basketball team three years in a row. Mason was also an avid fisherman since the time he could walk. He was on the bass fishing team at Henry Clay, making it to the state tournament his senior year. Also an entrepreneur, Mason owned two business before college and enjoyed umpiring at Ecton Park where he had played little league baseball. One of Mason’s greatest joys was attending Western Kentucky University with an academic scholarship. He was a proud member of the KA fraternity, played intramural basketball, and fished some tournaments with the WKU bass fishing team. Fishing was Mason’s passion. He fished countless ponds, rivers, lakes and even oceans, with friends, family, alone, and mostly with his brother. Mason found fishing peaceful and loved the thrill of reeling in a big Bass or Pike. Mason loved the simple things in life like “chilling” in his back yard, home cooked meals, UK basketball games, outdoor sporting events, concerts, beaches, hiking, bonfires, Kings Island, and family vacations to Northern MI and other places. Mason had a deep faith. One of his favorite things about church were mission trips to help others.
Mason’s journey ended way too young. However, he lived a beautiful and meaningful life in his 20 short years. Mason was particularly proud of his WKU academic scholarship and would have wanted to help other WKU students achieve their academic dreams in his memory. To honor his memory, friends and family members established the Mason A. “Goose” Hawkins Memorial Scholarship Fund in his name. The fund assists deserving WKU students pursuing a Masters degree in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with a desire to counsel young adults. Through this fund, Mason’s legacy lives on in perpetuity.
