Jack Hawke Was Cheerful Emblem of NC's Progress | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: This article was posted in Issues, by the Civitas Staff, in Civitas's online edition.

    Jack Hawke not only epitomized North Carolina's political progress over the past decade, he brought good cheer and upbeat spirits to everyone he encountered.

    Jack, the founding president of the Civitas Institute, died on Monday. He was a longtime Republican strategist and conservative leader. He advised many pivotal GOP candidates, and was the state Republican chairman from 1987 to 1995.

    "In many ways Jack was emblematic of the transitions North Carolina has gone through in the past fifty years," said current Civitas President Francis X. De Luca. "He came to North Carolina to attend law school at Duke, and he stayed. Jack was involved in most of the state's political and policy developments from the Sixties on, and was on the leading edge of the movement to take North Carolina from a stagnant one-party state to today's robust two-party system."

    In 2005, philanthropist and businessman Art Pope decided to start a non-profit to honor the conservative values and activities of his father, John William Pope. Art Pope turned to Jack to assemble the first Civitas staff and lead the organization in a drive to promote the conservative values of the Tar Heel State.

    Beyond all that, those who knew him will remember his upbeat attitude. He always believed that it was most important to bolster the spirits of those around him, and he always came to work with a bright smile. Even on the toughest days, when Jack was asked how he was doing, he would beam and shoot back: "Fantastic!"

    His dedication and upbeat spirit stayed with him all his life. Though ailing during the 2012 gubernatorial race, he insisted on following through and doing all he could to see Pat McCrory became North Carolina's next governor.

    The North Carolina political scene has lost a dynamic leader; his friends will miss his joyful demeanor. Yet all take comfort in the thought that when he gets to the Pearly Gates and St. Peter asks how he's doing, Jack will surely flash that grin and say, "Fffaaaaannnntaassstic!"