DOUGLAS PAUL WATKINS

Douglas Paul Watkins completed his earthly mission on December 31, 2021. He passed peacefully as he lay hand in hand with his wife of 63 years. He was born January 5, 1937 in Durham, North Carolina. Doug always had an affinity for mechanics and when he was old enough, he joined the United States Navy to serve his country.

While stationed in Beeville, TX, he laid eyes on a young woman in a movie theater that would become his one great love. He walked up to the girl he later learned was Marjorie Karen Banta and boldly stole her scarf and told her to meet him for ice cream to get it back. The scarf actually belonged to Margie’s mother and she really did need it back, so she showed up for ice cream and was served up the love of a lifetime.

After serving for 4 years, spending the last 2 years of that on the USS Hancock in California, he honorably left the U.S. Navy in 1959. Doug and Margie returned to Texas where Doug continued his love for mechanics by working American Smelting, later Valero. They spent a little over 10 years living in the Corpus Christi, TX area, then moved to Medina, Texas in 1971. This is where they set up a homestead to raise two children, Deborah Lynn and Daniel Lee. They have also had the pleasure of raising several mules, cats, chickens, dogs, and a bobcat. Doug, with the patience of a saint, was able to encourage regular visits from wild deer, turkeys, and hummingbirds, and build an incredible coy pond to fill their home with the nature they both loved. Doug enjoyed the camaraderie of the local Masonic lodge and served there since 1969, a 32nd° Mason in the Scottish Rite Of Freemasonry.

Doug and Margie’s strategic efforts allowed them to spend approximately 30 years of blissful retirement together. During that time, he enjoyed endlessly tinkering with things like his home, ‘69 Mustang, 32 Ford, and many more. He dabbled with playing the banjo, guitar, and drums, but the instrument that wowed his grandkids was when he played the spoons. He loved traveling the country with Margie in their RV - whether south to Epcot or north to Alaska. And making regular trips to Mountain View, AR for bluegrass festivals to watch his sweetheart play her heart out on the stand-up bass. He also rarely missed an opportunity to be at major life events and milestones for his children and grandchildren. His jovial laugh and inability to make it all the way through a joke without laughing will forever ring in our hearts.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney Marshal Watkins and Theodore Olive Mabry. Also by his siblings Leslie Morrison (Stacy), Janie Brewster (John), Robert (Betty) and James, and son Daniel Watkins. He is survived by his wife Marjorie Karen Banta Watkins, daughter Deborah Lynn Wilkinson (Glen) and grandchildren Courtney Schuck (Matthew), Tiffany Throckmorton (Jonathan), Elizabeth Moreau (Jonathan), Lindsey Shumway (Douglas) and Samuel Wilkinson (Rebecca) along with 24 great-grandchildren. Also by his siblings Theodore (Clara), Virginia Lawrence (William) and Clayton.

Graveside services was held on January 5, 2002, at the Oak Rest Cemetery in Medina, TX.

Pallbearers: Jonathan Throckmorton, Quinten Throckmorton, Parker O’Gorman, Matthew Moreau, Mario Ramos, Samuel Wilkinson