Hey guys, found out some really bad news from Bruce Hawkins this morning. Neil Cothran, a man who has been with Bruce through thick and thin in building Hawks Third Gen Parts, died in a car accident yesterday morning. Bruce asked me to post this up for him:




Donald Neil Cothran Jr. 9/16/1980-6/12/2005
We will be closed June 13-15, 2005 due to the death of Neil Cothran, an employee, f-body enthusiast, & beloved best friend of us at Hawks Third Generation. We ask for your patience & compassion in the next few weeks as he was a huge part of our day to day lives. To all who knew Neil and would like to pay respects, memorial services are as follows
Monday June 13 7:00pm-8:30pm Receiving Friends at Gray's Mortuary in Pelzer SC & Funeral Services will be Tuesday June 14 2:00pm at Beech Springs Tabernacle in Ware Place, burial will be at Greenville Memorial Gardens.






Neil was a really good guy. Although I only got to meet him briefly on my two trips to Hawks, it was obvious that he was into f-bodies (especially 3rd gens) as much as any of us.

The 3rd gen Camaro in the picture was Neil's, and was one of the first LS1 conversions that Hawk's did. Neil was the wiring expert, and was Bruce's right hand man.

Neil was personally working on my car, so I'm not sure how long that is going to set the project back................. but right now, it just doesn't seem that important.

Please send your prayers for Neil's family (he was an only child), his friends, and his co-workers at Hawks Third Gen Parts.

Adam LaClair

 

Thank you for letting us know. I will gladly keep him and his friends & family in our prayers.

 

I heard that a Clemson student had died on the radio this morning. Didn't think to make the connection to him. I will definitely keep his friends/family in my prayers.

 

Neil was definitely Bruce's righthand man for his operation. It's always sad to see a fellow F-body enthusiast die in a car wreck.

I'll say some prayers for his friends and family.

 

Yeah I saw that this morning on their website. VERY sad... I just talked to him friday on the phone about my headers and wiring harness he was finishing up. I don't know what to say. It's just horrible to lose someone that young and that talented.


*** bless him and his family... our thoughts are with you.


**Thanks Neil for all the help along the way on my swap....

 

Rest in peace... my condolences go out to his family and friend....

 

I'm just...stunned. I've known Neil since he first came to Hawk's, and just saw him a couple of weeks ago at the gathering in Atlanta. Wish I had gotten a chance to talk to him . He was a really nice guy, and very knowledgable. His family, adn his family at hawks will be in my prayers too.

 

I am both shocked and deeply saddened by Neil's passing. He was a fine young man and will be greatly missed.

 

Ahhh... OK

Someone posted something about this on a 2nd gen site, but I didn't have any idea who it was. There are a lot of people I know on here but have no idea what their real names are.

Anyway, my condolences go to friends and family.

 

To everyone at Hawk's Thirdgen, and their families, I am sorry to hear of your loss. And my condolences to all who knew the man, and to the people on these boards.