Raymond “Ray” Watkins
1926-2016
On Nov. 6, 1926, Raymond Watkins was born in Hobart, OK, to Porter & Martha (Herold) Watkins. At the age of 89, he was promoted to heaven Mon., July 11, at Tuscany Village Nursing Center in OKC, where he had received extraordinary care. While there, and throughout his life, he was known as the “good humor man,” due to his desire to pop a “funny” at any chance he got. In 1945 he enlisted in the Navy, but was medically discharged after having rheumatic fever. In 1946, he eloped with his sweetheart, Frances Jo McKinnis, and they enjoyed 68 years of marriage, until her death in 2015. His early jobs included truck driver, milkman, postman, and handyman. He received his Associates Degree in electronics at the OSU Technical Institute, where he earned the “Student of the Year” award. While at OSU he sold the most advertisements for the yearbook, which actually saved the yearbook from bankruptcy. He later worked for IBM as a computer engineer and for Sorbus as district sales manager.
He is survived by one sister, Marie Spears, son, Edwin Watkins (Debbi), son, Randal Watkins (Donna), granddaughter, Alicia Sabatino (Dr. Michael), grandson Ben Watkins, and great-grandson, Sean Michael Sabatino, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His parents, wife, brothers and sisters, and several nieces and nephews preceded him in passing.
Services will be held at Matthews Funeral Home on Sat., July 16, at 10:00 a.m. Donations may be made to the Salvation Army Center of Hope building fund.