James David "Dave" Hawley,87, of Plant City, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, surrounded by his family in Riverview, Florida.

Dave was born in Wichita, Kansas to William D. and Jesse R. Hawley on December 29, 1937. He married Judy Ruth Wait on June 3, 1961, in Wichita. Dave proudly served in the U.S. Army in the field of reenlistment for twenty years retiring as a Sargeant Major. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He was active in many Baptist churches throughout his life, most notably First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Georgia and Grace Baptist Church of Dumfries, Virginia.

After his retirement, Dave and his wife, Judy, traveled throughout the country for many years spending extensive time in Estes Park, Colorado and San Antonia, Texas before settling in Plant City, Florida. Dave remained active in retirement working on home repair and improvements for neighbors. He was an avid golfer, and he and Judy enjoyed many cruises over the years.

Dave is preceded in death by his daughter, Jill (John) Perez.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, daughters, Jamie (Benjamin) Chase, and Teddy Hawley (Penny), grandchildren, Brandon Chase (Joan) and Rebecca Towers (Daniel), and seven great-grandchildren, Amber, Summer, Blakely, Charlotte, Kaylee, Wesley, and Jonathan.

The family of Dave Hawley wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Chentane Jefferson and Lifepath Hospice for their compassionate care