James "Jim" Warren Watkins

© Tahlequah Daily Press Tahlequah, Oklahoma November 8, 2011

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

TAHLEQUAH — PARK HILL – Services for James "Jim" Warren Watkins will be held on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m., at the Reed-Culver Chapel with Mr. Kenneth Jones of Keys Church of Christ officiating.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 9th, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Park Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers for Jim include Brian Watkins, Peter Waldroop, Dale Watkins, Russell Hudgens, Andy Hudgens and Preston Ward. Honorary pallbearers are all of Jim's church family at Keys Church of Christ.

Jim Watkins was born on July 25, 1923, in Denoy, the son of Benjamin Harrison and Exie Helen (Brannon) Watkins.

He married the love of his life and constant companion, Erie "Irene" Morgan on Sept. 19, 1942, in Tahlequah. This marriage was blessed with 55 years and a home to share with four very special children: Tommy, Mary Susan, Willie Ray and JoAnn.

Jim was very talented with plants and the horticultural arts. He co-owned and operated Valley View Nursery for many years. He was also a past president of Beekeepers, served as the chairman of the Keys Water Board, Rotary and various business associations.

He took great pride in his community and its citizens and worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions for everyone in the community.

When he and Irene had a bit of spare time, they loved to take the grandkids camping, or spend time in his vegetable garden. He planted for everyone else's dinner table but his own.

He was proud of his family and adored the time spent with his grandchildren. Jim was honest, soft spoken, and never met a stranger.

He was a charter member of the Keys Church of Christ since 1947, helping to build two of the buildings used by the church. Jim, his wife and children, made sure the building was kept clean, that the fire was warm when parishioners arrived in winter or the air conditioning was on in the summer. His wife served as the secretary-treasurer of the church, and after her death in 1997, Jim took over these duties along with keeping the family plots at Park Hill Cemetery clean and neat. Jim showed dedication in everything he did. He was dedicated to his wife, his children, his job, his community and even his canine companion, "Lulu."

Jim went home to his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, with his family at his side. He was 88 years old. He now joins his parents, wife and two children and leaves a legacy of loved ones to carry on his ideas.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Irene; two adored children, Tommy Ray and Mary Susan; four brothers, J.D., Orvil, Artie and Ray Watkins; one sister Adina Guthrie; and one baby sister, Mary Watkins.

Jim will be remembered by his surviving son, Willie Ray Waldroop and wife Sue of Park Hill; and daughter, JoAnn Hudgens and husband Thomas P. of Welling. His legacy lives on in his nine grandchildren, his numerous great–grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and lives he has touched in Green Country.

Those wishing to express their sympathy are asked to consider the American Cancer Society of Oklahoma, 2420 Springer Drive No. 205, Norman, Okla., 73069.

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