Howard Raymond Watkins

Howard Raymond Watkins was born on January 18, 1933 to John and Hazel Cribbs Watkins. He graduated from Hobart High School in 1951 and enlisted in the US Navy in November of 1952. After completing basic training in San Diego, CA, he completed builder school and then completed tours of duty in The Philippines and Japan. After being discharged from the Navy in 1956, Howard re enrolled at Oklahoma State University where he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Economics in August 1959. He began his career as an insurance adjuster with the Kansas Farm Bureau. He continued to work as an insurance adjuster for the General Adjusting Bureau and Crum& Forrester until July 1968, when he and Gladys purchased their first insurance agency in Frederick, OK. In July of 1975, he purchased an agency in Hobart, OK and later added agencies in Sentinel and Fort Cobb, OK. During this time he earned several distinctions from industry groups including earning the designation of a Certified Insurance Counselor as well as others. Howard continued work in the insurance agencies until 1996, when he renewed his insurance adjusting career as a Catastrophe Claims Adjuster, traveling to Louisiana, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas, Minnesota, Nevada, California, and Canada to assist in catastrophes in these locations. In 1999, Howard began yet another career as a security guard at the Oklahoma State Reformatory in Granite, OK. Howard retired in September of 2009.
Where ever he was in life, Howard was never far in mind or spirit from the farm boy of western Oklahoma and continued to farm until 1985 in addition to his other occupations. Never one to like to sit still for long Howard also was active in Rotary or Lions Clubs in Frederick, Hobart, and Sentinel. Howard earned the Rotary distinction of a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also active in the First Baptist Church and served as a translator for the church when learned sign language and was a sign language translator for the church.
Howard passed away peacefully on September, 22, 2018 and is survived by his wife of almost sixty years, Gladys; daughter Jonetta Pope and her husband Tom of Yukon; daughter Raylene Book and her husband Jim of Norman; his son Wade and his wife Carolyn, of Oklahoma City; his son Aaron and his wife Linda of Dallas. He is also survived by eight grandchildren; Lauren Wendt and her husband Erich, Adam Pope, Alex Pope, Colin Book, Katherine Book, Julie Watkins, Peter Watkins, and Alexa Watkins; his four great-grandchildren; Hunter, Lillie and Emma Wendt, and Braden Pope. His three sisters, Gayna Stephenson, Wanzalle Beck and her husband Bill, and Quetha Hale and her husband Tom. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to
Woodland Gardens Assisted Living Center
915 N Broadway St, Hobart, OK 73651
in Hobart, Oklahoma.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 25, 2018
First Baptist Church
Hobart, Oklahoma
Services are under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart, Oklahoma