Melvin V. Watkins

SERVICES: Graveside services will be at 2:00 PM Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at Fairview Cemetery in Pampa, Texas, with Dr. Edwin Cooley, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Cordell, Oklahoma, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Watkins was born on Dec. 23, 1919 in Dexter, New Mexico. He resided in Pampa from 1926 until moving to Butler, Oklahoma in 2006. Red graduated from Pampa High School where he lettered in football, track, and golf and was a Golden Gloves boxer. He married Lois Foster on June 27, 1941 in Sayre, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on April 3, 2010. Red served in the U. S. Army 79th Infantry Division during World War II where he received two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, and a Presidential Citation. He was a supply sergeant for the Nuremburg War Crime Trials. Red was a supervisor at Celanese Chemical Co. for 27 1/2 years and was a cattleman for 25 years in Texas and New Mexico. He was a farmer, quarter horse breeder, and oil and gas operator in Colorado, Texas, and Oklahoma. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Pampa Jaycees, Top O' Texas Masonic Lodge #1381, the Lubbock Scottish Rite Consistory, and he was a 50-year Mason. Red was a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattlemen's Association.SURVIVORS: 2 sons: Tod F. Watkins and wife Vickie of Deer Park, and Jay Watkins and wife Carol of Butler, OK; a brother: Burton Watkins of Safford, AZ; 6 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Bryan Kip Watkins, by his parents, M. V. and Dora Watkins, by 3 brothers, Elmer, Zade, and Herman Watkins, and by a sister, Alma Glasscock.MEMORIALS: First Presbyterian Church, Book of Remembrance, 525 N. Gray, Pampa, TX 79065.