Obituary for Carl Edward Hakin: November 28, 1945 to September 23, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Carl Edward Hakin on September 23, 2024, at the age of 78. After a gallant fight with cancer and resulting medical complications, he went peacefully to be with The Lord, surrounded by his wife, three children and daughter-in-law.

Carl was born November 28, 1945 in Fairmont West Virginia to Mr. and Mrs. John and Flora Hakin. He started school in Arizona, eventually graduating from Petaluma High School in 1963. Upon graduation, he followed in the footsteps of his older brother Dave, and enlisted in the United States Navy, with the consent of his mother due to his age of 17. Not long after being assigned to the USS Tom Green County, out of Yokosuka Japan, the war in Vietnam began. For the next four years he travelled to and from Vietnam, with nearly zero leave, earning three stars for his Vietnam service ribbon. Later in his career Carl had the honor of being a plank member of Special Boat Unit Eleven. Composed of highly armed and agile river craft, known affectionately as the brown water Navy, he was able to serve with a tight group of highly motivated sailors. Unlike the larger Navy, these men formed incredible bonds he carried with him the rest of his life. He proudly retired from the Navy in 1995 as a senior chief (E-8) with 28 years 9 months and 14 days of both active duty and reserve service.

On a flight back to his ship after Christmas leave, he met his wife Joyce Lynn Ingle of 55 years in 1968. They were married May 24, 1969, settling down in Santa Rosa, California, where they had three children, Thomas, James (his favorite) and Joyce Lynn. They would later escape California to Yerington, Nevada, where the kids all graduated from Yerington High School.

From a very young age Carl was tinkering, taking things apart and putting them back together. Utilizing his GI bill, he attended Santa Rosa Junior College, to earn a degree in automotive mechanics. This became his career, eventually filling a supervisor role for all vehicles of Lyon County for seventeen years. A true Jack-of-all-trades, there was nothing he could not fix. After retirement he continued to apply his craft on side projects until he was no longer physically able. It was not uncommon for him to put his projects on a back burner in order to help someone else, many times to the chagrin of his loving wife.

Carl loved following his crazy children into their many activities, not just through support, but involvement. From coaching little league, to Boy Scout leader, Civil Air Patrol, backyard catch sessions and many other various sports, he was always there. Never were there any doubts that dad was a big fan. After his kids grew up, he continued to support the youth of his community by volunteering his time to run clocks, score boards and track meets. With the arrival of grandchildren, he again would regularly take the time to play the part of ultimate fan.

Mr. Hakin was a man of action, that lived a life of adventure, honor and principle. Among a list far too long, he earned his pilot license, loved John Wayne and 007 flicks, listened to Rush Limbaugh, was a Niners, SF Giants, NASCAR and basically every sport fan, stood up for what he believed in and loved his great country. He and his children chased big game animals throughout the entire western US every fall, putting hundreds of thousands of wonderful miles on his trusty Ford pickup, later filling chief cook, bottle washer duties without a word of complaint. The shirt off his back to those in need, he truly was “That Guy.”  He was an incredible man and he will be missed by many.

He is survived by his wife and dog Penny, his three children Thomas, James (totally his favorite) and Joyce Lynn Howell, daughter-in-law Ginny, son-in-law Zachary Howell and five grand children Whitney, Westin, Kaitlea, Rebecca and JoyceLynn.

His family and friends will be laying him to rest on Tuesday October 1st at 11am in the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nevada. Following there will be a celebration of life in Yerington at the Methodist Church in Spangler Hall starting at 2pm.  Family and friends are invited to sign his online guest book at www.FRFH.net

Arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, Nevada 89447 (775) 463-2911