Gary Norris “Dutch” Watkins

Gary Norris Watkins "Dutch", 76 of Weatherford, Texas peacefully entered into heaven on Tue, April 16th, 2024; with Inez, h i s loving wife of 54 years by his side. He was the oldest of four children of Norris and Pauline Watkins of Garner, Texas.
Dutch grew up in Parker County and graduated from Millsap High school in 1965.
 
He joined the U.S. Air Force May 1, 1 9 6 8 thru Mar 2 7, 1 9 7 2 based out of Beale Air Force Base, Marysville, Ca. He served in Vietnam as a Sergeant E6 Crew Chief, Mechanic & In Flight Refueler earning the following honors: National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal & Good Conduct Medal for exemplary behavior, efficiency & fidelity in active federal service. Other areas served in this stint included: Kadena Air Force Base on the island of Okinawa, South East Asia, Eielson Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Alaska, Air Base on Island of Guam, Hickman Air Base, Honolulu, Hawaii, Air Base of Phillipine Islands. 
He came home as a helicopter mechanic at Southern Airways and went to truck driving school in Fort Scott, Kansas and drove long haul across the U.S. for 2 years.
He then re-listed into the Army National Guard Oct 3, 1976 thru Sept 5, 1994 with Co. B 111th Engineer BN of Mineral Wells, Texas becoming a Staff Sergeant E6 including Civil Service Duty on Fort Walters, Utes#2 as a Combat Engineer & M1 Tank Systems Mechanic with honors to include: Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal-2d Award & Texas Faithful Service Medal. 

Dutch then began serving locally at Garner ISD as the Transportation/Building & Grounds Maintenance Technician for 18 years. Then finally rounding out his mechanical career as a Fleet Service Manager
 with Hobson Comfort Experts for about 3 years at the age of 73.

He is survived by his wife, Inez F. Watkins; sister, Karen Ford & husband, Gary; brother Mike Watkins &wife, Laura; brother in law Boyd Shivers; brother in law Joe Shivers; sister in law Margaret Watkins; daughter, Lisa Haley & husband, Will; daughter, Theresa Coe; grand daughter, Morgan Boyd & husband, Jacob; grand son, Trace Coe; grand son, Spencer Auld &grand daughter, Julie Auld.

He is preceded in death by his Parents, Brother, Stephen Watkins, Sister in law, Carrie Shivers & Sister in law, Bonniejune Shivers.

Не was a faithful member of Rock Creek Rd Baptist Church, Mineral Wells, Texas. Visitation will be Thursday April 18 t h , 6 - 8 p m a t Baum Carlock Baumgardner Funeral Home. Service will be Fri, Apr 19th, 2pm at Rock Creek Rd Baptist Church with burial to follow at Ballew Springs Cemetery.