Jerry Watkins

Jerry Watkins passed away Sept. 23, 2017.

Watkins was born in Newgulf, Texas Oct. 14, 1946, to Cecil and Oma (Rogers) Watkins. He was one of five children. He grew up in Newgulf, Texas and attended Boling ISD. Throughout high school, he was a gifted athlete and played All-District for Boling High School in both football and track. Being a star running-back and 100-yard dasher and sprinter, he held several Texas track records for several years.

After graduation, Watkins worked briefly for Dr. Pepper, where he was known for drinking Pepsi on the job. When it came time to start making good money, Jerry took a job in the drilling group for TexasGulf Sulphur. He worked 35 years for TexasGulf, starting at TexasGulf Sulphur and eventually transferring to Wyoming at TexasGulf Soda Ash. He retired from TexasGulf in 1999. Jerry then started a career in pipeline inspection.

Jerry was an amazing and famous hunter and fisherman. He loved telling stories, going back to his teen years, hunting around Boling,Texas and the Wharton area, to Wyoming and Colorado.

A person would have thought he invented the fishing pole as well as he knew his way around one. He and Scott Bond were awarded first place in the Governor's National Bow Hunt in Glenrock in 1997. Jerry was a great man of traditional values, honesty, and fun.

He is survived by loving wife, Jacquelynn Watkins; daughters Leslie Anne Watkins, Wendy Broyles and Stacy Hilbrich; sons Travis Watkins, Joshua Barnes, Jesse Jones and Tayler Powell; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His family includes his sister Kathryn Bordelon and brothers Cecil "Buster" Watkins and Brent Watkins.

Graveside services took place Wednesday.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Pat.

Online condolences may be made at http://www.shafferpioneer.com.