Graveside services for James “Don” Watkins, 74, Rover, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 16, 2012, at Huddleston Cemetery, with Minister Greg McLaughlin officiating, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.
He was born the son of the late Alfred Watkins and Gertrude Schell Watkins, on October 16, 1937 in Walden, Colorado and died August 12, 2012 at his home in Rover, Missouri.
He was united in marriage January 5, 1957 in Miami, Oklahoma to Gertrude “Billie” Wilson, who preceded him in death on July 23, 2006.
He is survived by three children, Brenda Austin, Centerton, Arkansas, Tammy McLaughlin, husband, Greg, West Plains, Missouri, and James Watkins, Jr., wife, Shannon, Rover, Missouri; one special sister-in-law, Elaine Colvin and husband, Charles, Lamar, Arkansas; two brothers, Ted Watkins, wife, Elizabeth, Rover, Missouri, Harley Watkins, wife, Bernadette, Rover, Missouri; three sisters, Betty Pitcock, husband, Frank, West Plains, Missouri, Bonnie Myers, husband, Leand, Braidwood, Illinois, and Beulah Stavros, state of Illinois; twelve grandchildren;, and eleven great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Billie; his parents; one son-in-law, Keith Austin; five brothers, Robert, Chester “Chet”, Duane, Shelby Watkins, and an infant brother, Elwin Watkins.
He loved spending time with his family; loved horses, and enjoyed going to truck pulls.
Burial will be in Huddleston Cemetery, Oregon County, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.
August 16, 2012 @ 8:31 am
Our thoughts are with the family in this time of loss. Hold to good memories and he will live on………..
August 24, 2012 @ 9:33 am
Tammy & Spanky: I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Daddy. I just learned of it. I will continue to have your family in my prayers and hope for peace in knowing we will reunite with our family in heaven. Love & Prayers, Jan & Eddie Shields