Thomas Milton “Lucky” Hawkins, passed away February 28, 2010 in Santa Barbara CA where he had resided for many years. The Santa Barbara News Press once called him “the electric cowboy”. He was a tinkerer up until the end, a volunteer whom might be rolling bandages for Haitian refuges, and a fountain of information worthy of the curator of an historical museum. He was born inKnox County, Missouri, son of Tom &.Dean Hawkins. After high school he joined the Marine Corps and spent WWII in the Pacific Theater.

He later married, his wife, Loni, and “ Loni & Lucky”became an item for the next 62 years until his death at age 86. Milt helped define modern Santa Barbara, designing lighting systems for public venues and landmarks, crawling around basements and attics of Montecito Mansions. After his retirement as a career union electrician, he became involved with restoring and maintaining the Robert Morton Theater organ in the Arlington Theater.

He loved to work on the organ as well as listen to organ music. Milt loved to return to his hometown of Edina for the Corn fest each year and considered Edina to be the “sister city” of Santa Barbara.

 

Milt is survived by his wife, Loni Hawkins, Son, Tom Hawkins of Santa Barbara, Daughter, Holly Blue Hawkins of Monterey Bay CA, Brothers, Delbert Hawkins of Edina & Bill Hawkins of Sedalia Mo. along with nieces and nephews in Missouri.