Obituary for Irvin Dennis "Pat" Watkins Jr.
Irvin Dennis “I.D.” Watkins, Jr., 89, of Harwood, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2020. He was born March 17, 1931 in Bay City to Irvin Dennis Watkins, Sr. and Faye Elizabeth Teat Watkins. In light of Irvin being born on St. Patrick’s Day, he was nicknamed “Pat” in honor of the day. Pat’s parents sadly divorced when he was eight years old and his mother remarried, Lloyd Williams of Des Moines, Iowa several years later. He married Mary Ruth Patterson on January 12, 1952 in Houston.
Pat grew up in Bay City, TX and spent much of his youth fishing and hunting ducks and geese. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed frog gigging and hunting “gators”. Because of his love for hunting alligators his friends gave him another nickname, “Gator.” He spent quality time with his dad who taught him the value of hard work while building houses, BBQing for local churches, and tending to the horses and cattle.
On January 15, 1951 Pat enlisted into the U.S. Army and served in Hammelburg, Germany during the Korean War with Company C, 322nd Tank Battalion. He was honorably discharged in December of 1952 and went to work for Phillips Petroleum in Sweeney, TX where he gave 35 years of faithful service. After retiring he and Mary moved to the farm in Harwood part-time and then eventually full-time due to their love of the land and its peacefulness.
Irvin is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Dave Radke of Harwood and his son, Bruce W. Taylor of Fulton, grandchildren, Patrick David Radke and his wife Shawna and Robert J. Radke, great-grandchildren, Conner and Madelyn Radke, and other relatives, W.L. Spencer, Robert Smith, Kevin Smith and his wife Julie, and the Gottwald family of Gonzales. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents.
Graveside services will be held at 10.am. Friday, April 24, 2020 in the Harwood Community Cemetery with Tim Decker officiating. Memorials may be made to the Harwood Community Center.
Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.
Pat grew up in Bay City, TX and spent much of his youth fishing and hunting ducks and geese. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed frog gigging and hunting “gators”. Because of his love for hunting alligators his friends gave him another nickname, “Gator.” He spent quality time with his dad who taught him the value of hard work while building houses, BBQing for local churches, and tending to the horses and cattle.
On January 15, 1951 Pat enlisted into the U.S. Army and served in Hammelburg, Germany during the Korean War with Company C, 322nd Tank Battalion. He was honorably discharged in December of 1952 and went to work for Phillips Petroleum in Sweeney, TX where he gave 35 years of faithful service. After retiring he and Mary moved to the farm in Harwood part-time and then eventually full-time due to their love of the land and its peacefulness.
Irvin is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Dave Radke of Harwood and his son, Bruce W. Taylor of Fulton, grandchildren, Patrick David Radke and his wife Shawna and Robert J. Radke, great-grandchildren, Conner and Madelyn Radke, and other relatives, W.L. Spencer, Robert Smith, Kevin Smith and his wife Julie, and the Gottwald family of Gonzales. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents.
Graveside services will be held at 10.am. Friday, April 24, 2020 in the Harwood Community Cemetery with Tim Decker officiating. Memorials may be made to the Harwood Community Center.
Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.