C. J. "Kelly" Hawbaker

Your Wings Were Ready But Our Hearts Were Not

Clair Joseph “Kelly” Hawbaker, 77, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at the Rawlins Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Rawlins, Wyoming following a short illness.

He was born May 16,1942 in Scobey, Montana to parents Harvey Roy Hawbaker and Edith Miranda (Hrabik) Hawbaker, one of 11 children.  The family lived in Peerless, Montana where he graduated from high school. He also attended college in Billings, Montana and business school in Denver, Colorado.  He served in the Army Corp of Engineers and was also a saddle bronc rider, ranch hand and participated in wagon trains. His work experience included working in retail stores, as a loan office employee, a brakeman on the Union Pacific Railroad and maintenance director for Carbon County School District 1 until his retirement after 26 years. During retirement you’d find him having coffee three times a day with friends at Square Shooters, Cappy's and Penny's Diner.  He was also his grandson Owen’s personal chauffeur, confidante and best friend.

He married Twila (Cloyd) Hawbaker on June 11, 1977 in Kanorado, Kansas.  They were blessed with two daughters, Kellie Jo Hawbaker and Kari Susanne Hawbaker and 4 grandchildren, Owen Joseph Hawbaker, Odin Leifayas Pederson, Ivy Ray Andais Pederson, and Rune William Pederson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Edith Hawbaker, and siblings Larry “Pete” Hawbaker, Levi Hawbaker, Harvey Richard Hawbaker and Leah Adams, nephews Barry Hawbaker and Terry Hawbaker, his in-laws, Jack and Ruby Cloyd, Sandie Franz, Joel Franz, Violet Hawbaker, Maureen Hawbaker, and Oliver Grove.

Surviving to honor his memory are his wife, Twila Cloyd Hawbaker, his two children Kellie Jo Hawbaker (David Whitzel)  and Kari Susanne Hawbaker (John Mooseman). He will be fondly remembered by his 4 grandchildren, Owen Hawbaker, Odin, Ivy and Rune Pederson.  He was so proud of all of them and loved them with all of his heart. He is also survived by his siblings James (Norma) Hawbaker, Ken Hawbaker, Marcia (Greg) Garcia, Harland (Linda) Hawbaker, Eddie (Bonnie) Hawbaker and Donna Grove, amazingly along with 28 nieces and nephews, 48 great nieces and nephews and 10 great great nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place under the care of Jacoby Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Rawlins due to the circumstances.  Interment of ashes will also be held at a later date in Kanorado, Kansas. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Pet Partners of Carbon County, Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter, or Carbon 1 Special Olympics of Wyoming.