The Honorable Falcon B. Hawkins, Jr. graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1963. Prior to attending law school, he served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper. In 1946, he lost his father to asbestos disease, and he took on the responsibility of his four siblings.
He attended The Citadel as a veteran, graduating in 1958 with honors in business administration and earning the title of Senior Veteran Gold Star Student, while simultaneously working at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. Upon graduation, Hawkins worked for then-Governor Ernest F. Hollings and later served as a U.S. District Judge from 1979 until his death in July 2005. He was the chief judge for the District of South Carolina from 1990 to 1993.
Hawkins is survived by his wife, Jean; brothers, J. David Hawkins and Steely Hawkins; sons, Richard Hawkins, Daryl G. Hawkins, and Steely Hawkins, and daughter, Betsy Eddy.