Area auto dealership founder, chairman dies at 85

Despite making millions in automotive sales, Dwayne Hawkins, much to the surprise of top officials around him, never flew anywhere first class.

“He’d fly coach,” Crown Automotive President and COO Jim Myers says, “when a lot of people like him could fly on their own planes.”

That humility, mixed with a folksy, southern gentleman style, was a hallmark of Hawkins’ life. The founder of St. Petersburg-based Crown Automotive Group, Hawkins died Christmas Eve from natural causes. He was 85.