Jason Hawk Death, Obituary & Full Biography – Mountain Men Star, Bladesmith, and Off-Grid Survivalist (1975–2025)

Jason Hawk (June 1975 – January 28, 2025) was an American blacksmith, outdoorsman, and reality television personality best known for his appearances on the History Channel’s Mountain Men. He passed away at the age of 49 following a long battle with cancer. Known for his commitment to off-grid living and traditional craftsmanship, Jason lived much of his life forging blades, teaching primitive skills, and raising his family in the wilderness of Arizona and Arkansas. This biography details his early life, career in blacksmithing, television work, family relationships, and final years.

Jason Hawk – Quick Facts

Full Name	Patrick Baldwin (later known as Jason Hawk)
Born	June 1975, Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States
Died	January 28, 2025 (aged 49), Arkansas, United States
Cause of Death	Complications from cancer (lungs, liver, lymph nodes, abdomen)
Nationality	American
Other Names	Jason Hawk
Occupation	Bladesmith, Survivalist, Reality Television Personality
Years Active	1999–2025 (craftsmanship), 2014–2021 (TV)
TV Shows	Mountain Men (2016–2021, 49 episodes), No Man’s Land (2014)
Known For	Traditional knife-making, off-grid living, Mountain Men
Spouses	Erin Meeks (divorced), Ikuko Watanabe (divorced), Mary Fricchione (m. 2014–2025)
Children	Kamui (2005), River (b. Dec 29, 2008), Madeline (2017)
Parents	Andrea Baldwin (mother), Jim Hawk (father; born Jim Baldwin)
Notable Work	Founder of Outlaw Forge Works, 5th-degree black belt in Doce Pares Eskrima

Early Life and Family Background

Jason Hawk, born Patrick Baldwin in June 1975 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, was the son of Andrea Baldwin, an artist and equine therapist, and Jim Baldwin, a former Army Special Forces instructor who later became a carpenter and artist. His father adopted the surname “Hawk” in honor of his years spent skydiving—a name Jason later chose for himself as an adult. Both parents were known for their creative talents and storytelling skills, which Jason inherited and nurtured throughout his life.

Jason spent his early childhood in California and Nevada, growing up with his older brother Damon and younger sister Jordan. It was during this time that he developed a passion for horseback riding and exploring the desert and mountain landscapes that would shape his lifestyle. He was exposed early to craftsmanship and traditional survival techniques by watching his father carve intricate, native-inspired designs and improvise tools—skills rooted in both artistry and military discipline.

At the age of eight, Jason experienced the devastating loss of his brother Damon in a beach accident. The tragedy deeply impacted the family and became a pivotal moment in Jason’s childhood. A few years later, they relocated to Cuchara, Colorado, where Jason and Jordan worked as caretakers on the Yellow Pine guest ranch. At age 15, they became licensed wranglers, guiding elk hunters into the backcountry. Jason often stayed behind at camp to cook and assist with logistics, further developing his skills in wilderness living.

Life in the Rocky Mountains offered Jason the opportunity to refine his hunting, trapping, and self-reliance. In the small town of Cuchara, he formed close friendships with peers who shared his interest in frontier history and traditional crafts. Together, they spent long winter nights making handmade gear and clothing for rendezvous events and reenactments.

Formative Years and Travels

After graduating high school, Jason set out on a journey across the United States. He spent several years traveling and living in various regions before settling in Montana. There, he lived remotely in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, continuing to hone his self-reliance and survival skills. To support himself, he worked as a chef and manager at Dos Amigos in Kalispell and later as a supervisor at Santa Fe Reds in Bozeman.

During this period, Jason also enrolled in a welding program and expanded his expertise in metal fabrication—a skill that would later fuel his professional bladesmithing career. He married his first wife, Erin Meeks, while living in Montana. The marriage lasted a few years before Jason returned to Arizona to reconnect with his roots and work alongside his father in their shared studio.

Knife-Making, Martial Arts, and Life in Arizona

After relocating to Rimrock, Arizona, Jason and his father shared a studio space, continuing their family tradition of artistry. Jason worked at a bronze foundry while developing a side hobby in knife-making. He married his second wife, Ikuko Watanabe, a Japanese exchange student studying at Northern Arizona University. In 2005, they welcomed a son, Kamui.

Jason pursued martial arts extensively and earned a fifth-degree black belt in Doce Pares Eskrima under Grandmaster Christopher Petrelli. His diverse skills—blacksmithing, survival, and martial arts—reflected his commitment to mastering traditional and practical disciplines.

In 2007, Jason met Mary Fricchione at a primitive skills gathering called Winter Count. They bonded over a shared appreciation for traditional craftsmanship, storytelling, and outdoor living. Mary would go on to become Jason’s life partner and his third wife. Their connection deepened over time, and they officially married in October 2014. By then, they had already started their life together and had welcomed their daughter, River, on December 29, 2008.

The couple celebrated 16 years together in 2024, marking their 10th wedding anniversary. According to Mary, their bond was rooted in mutual admiration, respect, and daily gratitude—especially in the later years as Jason’s health declined. They often went fishing and enjoyed quiet moments at home as a family.

After River was born, the family relocated to Arivaca, Arizona, to be closer to Mary’s family. There, they established a carving shop for Jason’s father and a knife-making forge for Jason. This homestead became a cornerstone of their creative and self-sufficient lifestyle. The family later relocated to Arivaca, Arizona, where they established a carving workshop for Jason’s father and a blacksmith forge for Jason.

Television Career: No Man’s Land and Mountain Men

In 2012, Jason attended the Woodsmoke primitive skills event in Idaho, where he interviewed with Warm Springs Productions. Although a filmed season of Mountain Men set in Arizona never aired due to unsuitable conditions, Jason was later featured in No Man’s Land in 2014. The show focused on desert-based survivalists and aired for one season.

Despite the short run, History Channel recognized Jason’s value and offered him a place on Mountain Men. The family relocated to Arkansas in 2016, choosing it for its hunting, fishing, and foraging opportunities, as well as ties to extended family. They began filming on a 600-acre off-grid property near the White River outside of Elkins, Arkansas, living in a historic 1800s hand-built log cabin. The rustic home had no electricity or running water and relied on a traditional hand-dug well for all water needs. The family braved the winter in these minimal conditions, embracing the same homesteading lifestyle they portrayed on-screen.

When spring arrived and the lease expired, the family returned briefly to Arizona to regroup and plan their next move. That summer, in May 2016, Jason’s father, Jim Hawk, passed away from a heart attack. His passing came as a deep personal loss during a pivotal time in Jason’s transition between homes and projects. They soon acquired a 10-acre homestead near the Arkansas River and Mulberry, where they settled permanently. In 2017, their youngest daughter, Madeline (Maddie), was born during filming.

Introduction and Early Appearances on Mountain Men

Jason was introduced in Season 5 of Mountain Men during a pivotal time of transition in his life. In his debut episode (Season 5, Episode 4), he shared his decision to leave the Arizona desert behind due to its limited resources and relocate to the rich, wooded landscapes of Arkansas. He described the move as a return to his roots, with the aim of giving his family a better chance to live sustainably. His homestead, while not suited for everyone, was—by his own words—perfect for his needs.

The episode featured a moment of rustic reality when Jason and his daughter River discovered a squirrel nesting in their chimney pipe—a reminder of the wild, unpredictable environment they had chosen to inhabit. Jason’s response combined practical survival knowledge with his usual dry humor, noting the possibility of chimney fires and the potential for squirrel stew. This scene encapsulated Jason’s self-reliant ethos: solve the problem, adapt, and move forward.

This introduction laid the groundwork for his character as a skilled craftsman and devoted family man who was both realistic and unflinching in his approach to off-grid living.

This period also marked a significant personal shift for Jason as he prepared for life in Arkansas. He packed up his essential tools, left behind modern conveniences like power equipment, and committed to a lifestyle that reflected his frontier values—one that was comparable to stepping back in time a century. His goal was to reestablish his blacksmithing setup in a remote homestead, where he could continue his craft and raise his family off-grid, close to nature, and deeply connected to the land.

In another episode, Season 5, Episode 6 (Bonus), Jason reflected on the challenges of surviving his first real winter in the backwoods. Without electricity or running water, he emphasized the importance of firewood as a source of heat, light, and cooking. The segment showed him working closely with his daughter River to chop and stack wood, reinforcing the show’s core theme of family resilience. Jason remarked that living this way wasn’t just about being off-grid—it was about focusing on simple living, building family connections, and facing each day’s challenges together.

By Season 5, Episode 12, Jason further revealed his philosophy on constant harvesting—whether it be for ideas, tools, or food. He was shown navigating the dense Arkansas woods, foraging and hunting for everything from deer to squirrels, pigs, and other wild game to sustain his family. He contrasted this new environment with his former life in the desert, noting that the Arkansas forests were lush, dense, and full of daily opportunity. The episode highlighted his adaptability and resourcefulness, as well as his hands-on knowledge of backwoods hunting. Jason reflected on the challenges of surviving his first real winter in the backwoods. Without electricity or running water, he emphasized the importance of firewood as a source of heat, light, and cooking. The segment showed him working closely with his daughter River to chop and stack wood, reinforcing the show’s core theme of family resilience. Jason remarked that living this way wasn’t just about being off-grid—it was about focusing on simple living, building family connections, and facing each day’s challenges together.

His introduction and early episodes set the tone for his portrayal throughout the series: a skilled craftsman, deeply committed to traditional living, and a devoted family man navigating life with resilience and purpose. In 2018, Kamui came to live with him full-time in Arkansas.

Jason Hawk on Mountain Men (2016–2021)

Jason Hawk appeared in a total of 49 episodes of Mountain Men between 2016 and 2021, spanning from Season 5 through Season 10. His appearances documented his relocation to Arkansas, his homesteading journey, and the everyday challenges of living off-grid. Jason’s presence on the show resonated with viewers for its authenticity and focus on family, craftsmanship, and survival.

Blade Craftsmanship and Outlaw Forge Works

While Jason had begun forging blades professionally long before his television debut, his work gained broader recognition during and after his time on Mountain Men. Jason began forging blades professionally in 1999. He was mentored by Tai Goo, founder of Neo-Tribal Metalsmiths, and eventually earned the title of “Master Smith.” With a focus on traditional techniques and indigenous designs, Jason established Outlaw Forge Works, where he sold hand-forged knives and tools through his website, jasonhawkknives.com.

His products, deeply influenced by history and function, earned recognition among bladesmiths and survivalists. Jason also taught knife-making and traditional skills at events like Winter Count, fostering knowledge-sharing among craft communities.

Cancer Diagnosis and Final Years

Jason Hawk’s cancer journey began in late 2020, following nearly a year of persistent pain. After undergoing a series of tests, he was diagnosed with malignant cancer. Despite aggressive chemotherapy treatments and surgery in November 2022, Jason’s condition continued to present serious challenges.

In July 2024, Jason was hospitalized at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas, due to severe dehydration, dizziness, and significant weight loss. Doctors initially suspected a stomach virus, but a CT scan revealed potential recurrence of cancer, with suspicious tissue present in his lungs and abdomen. A biopsy was performed, and it was confirmed that the cancer had returned. The tumor had encased and blocked Jason’s lower intestine, requiring surgical intervention to bypass the obstruction.

Jason’s health further declined in the fall of 2024. Due to his condition and the lack of eligibility for genetic treatments, he was placed on palliative chemotherapy and opted for in-home hospice care. His cancer had spread to multiple organs including his lungs, abdomen, liver, and lymph nodes. Despite limited mobility—eventually becoming bed and chair-bound—Jason continued crafting in his knife shop as long as he was physically able.

His family received weekly hospice visits from compassionate caregivers who helped manage his pain and comfort. Mary Fricchione, Jason’s wife, provided regular updates on his condition and coordinated community fundraising to cover medical costs, as all expenses were out of pocket due to insurance gaps. A final update in January 2025 noted that Jason could no longer stand for more than a minute and had become completely dependent on home care.

Jason passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025, at his Arkansas home, surrounded by family and loved ones. He remained mentally present and committed to his artistry until the very end. His final months were marked by dignity, quiet strength, and the support of a deeply committed family and community.

Family

Jason Hawk is survived by his wife Mary Fricchione; his children Kamui, River, and Maddie; his mother Andrea Baldwin; his sisters Jordan Baldwin, Jill Lott, Jymme Jo Gann, and Julie Waller Driskel; his aunt Marilyn Davis; uncle John Baldwin; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended relatives.

His father, Jim Hawk (born Jim Baldwin), passed away in May 2016. Jason’s older brother, Damon, died in childhood.

Legacy

Jason Hawk’s contributions to primitive craftsmanship, wilderness education, and traditional living have left a meaningful impact. Through his work on television and at forging events, Jason helped popularize off-grid living and traditional arts in modern times.

His forge, Outlaw Forge Works, continues to represent the values of quality, resilience, and heritage-based craftsmanship. His memory lives on through the blades he made, the skills he shared, and the family and community he helped build.

A private memorial for Jason Hawk is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the family homestead in Arkansas. The event is being organized by his wife, Mary Fricchione, in accordance with Jason’s wishes. Close friends and family who wish to attend and have not yet received details are encouraged to reach out to Mary directly to be included in the memorial celebration group.