Dr. Paul Watkins

Dr. Paul Douglas Watkins, an extraordinary soul, passed from this life to eternal life on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 surrounded by his family. He went peacefully and with anticipation. He was born January 29, 1933 in Wilson, Oklahoma, the son of Harry and Grace Watkins. His childhood was spent in Shawnee, Healdton and Pauls Valley, Oklahoma where he graduated from high school. He was active in athletics where he excelled in football and track. Paul graduated from the University of Oklahoma and while there he was very active in the Methodist Wesley Foundation. He then continued his education at the University of Missouri at Kansas City (UMKC), earning his Doctorate in Dentistry. After he married Judith Claire Cook in 1958, he joined the United States Air Force and served as a Captain for five years in Laon, France. While living there they traveled Europe extensively and became regular visitors throughout their lives. Paul’s favorite destination was Switzerland. Upon returning to the United States, he moved to Pauls Valley in 1963 and began his private dental practice. He cared for his patients in Oklahoma for 45 years with a compassionate and charitable heart. Paul served his community as a long time member and President of the Kiwanis Club, ten years on the Pauls Valley School Board, and spent many hours serving and giving to the underprivileged. The First United Methodist Church was a focal point of Paul’s life. He was a member of the Crusaders Class where he participated in the teachings, was involved with Vacation Bible School, was a member of the choir and served as Chairman of the Church Board. His favorite pasttime was playing the banjo and singing with the Ragtime Rascals and the Crazy Daze. He loved to entertain and enjoyed performing at many venues with his beloved band members. He also was an avid OU Sooner football fan and traveled throughout the country to follow them. Dr. Paul has spent the last thirty years sailing the seas. His son, Scott, served as his first mate and they sailed the Carribean with a passion. Paul was a man that could always make you laugh, stimulate your intellect and revitalize your spiritual soul. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Judith. Paul is survived by his children, Steven Watkins of Houston, Texas, Susan and her husband Douglas Norton of McKinney, Texas and Scott Watkins of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, one grandson Stuart Watkins of Houston, Texas, three granddaughters, Grace and Sarah Norton of McKinney, Texas and Tara Smith Gross of Orlando, Florida and one brother-in-law David Cook and his wife Debbie of Lincoln, Missouri. Also to include in the family are Tonya Watkins and Carrigan McKenzie U.S.M.C. The family wishes to thank everyone for their gifts of flowers, food, visits, concerns, literally hundreds of offers of assistance and most of all for the many, many prayers offered upon his behalf. Judy is waiting on the banks of the River Jordan drawing pictures in the sand. “I’ll be waiting, the angels sing sweeter when Paul is with me.”

Dr. Paul Watkins

January 29, 1933 - February 9, 2011