He is survived by:
One son:
Randy Watkins of Hodgen, Oklahoma
One daughter:
Tammy Welch and husband Richard of Hodgen, Oklahoma
Two stepdaughters:
Lola Salazar of Hollis, Oklahoma
Elisa Zepeda and husband Eric of Hollis, Oklahoma
One son-in-law:
Jess Bowen of Nebraska
Four sisters:
Georgia Hammerbacher, Phylliss Fitch, Dorothy Davis, and Charlotte Glascock
One brother:
Ernest “Tuffy” Rucker
Seven grandchildren:
Tyler Bowen, Sadie Luman, Justus Welch, Aaron Bowen, Azure Hill, Gene Welch, and Addison Zepeda
Eight great-grandchildren
Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loved ones, and host of friends
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clint and Golda Watkins; the first love of his life, Gilda “Okie” Watkins; his second love of his life, Rosa Watkins; one daughter, Debbie Bowen; one brother, Gene Watkins; and one sister, Bernadean Owens.
Don was a graduate of Skyline High School in Urbana, Missouri, Carl Albert State College, and Eastern Oklahoma State College. He was a veteran, serving his country in the United States Navy. His first job was a truck driver and that is how he met his first true love, Gilda “Okie.” They got married and lived in California for several years before moving back to Oklahoma in 1975 following her parents. They remained in Hodgen until her passing in 1998. After Gilda’s passing, Don moved several times finally ending up in Hollis, Oklahoma. Don starting working for the Department of Corrections, where he started out as a cadet, working his way up to Senior Instructor at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections “CLEET” program. He retired in 2008 as Captain/Chief of Security at the Hollis Correctional Work Center.
During his lifetime, he held many jobs, from truck driver, school bus driver, cement work, DOC, and maintenance. While he was in Hollis, he met the second love of his life, Rosa. They married and he worked maintenance at the Hollis Hospital and various places. Don did whatever he needed to do to make ends meet. He was a hard worker that always took care of his family. Don enjoyed to travel and visit with anyone and everyone he seen. He never met a stranger at least not for very long. Don also loved to fish, hunt, and spend time with his family and friends. Don will be deeply missed by all whom knew and loved him.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener, Oklahoma with Reverend Philip Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Heavener Memorial Park under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener, Oklahoma.
Honors will be provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Honor Guard.
Pallbearers will be: Tyler Bowen, Justus Welch, Aaron Bowen, Gene Welch, Mark Huie, and Clay Metzker
Viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday; and 9:00 a.m. until service time, Friday at the funeral home.
To sign Don’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
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