Charles Keith Watkins, Jr.

Charles Keith Watkins, Jr., 59, of Neodesha, died at 2:16 a.m., Thursday, June 20, 2013, in the Emergency Room at Wilson Medical Center in Neodesha. He had been in his usual health and death was not expected. He was born November 4, 1953, in Parsons, Kansas, to Charles Keith Watkins, Sr. and Martha Jane (Baker) Watkins. He grew up in rural Parsons where he attended Service Valley Elementary School and was a 1971 graduate of Labette County High School in Altamont. For a time, he worked at Peabody Tec Tank and later as a mechanic at Parsons Motors. He then began his 34-year career at Watco at Neodesha where he worked in shipping and receiving in the repair shop. He had served as a representative for the Transportation Communications Union – Local 6026. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Parsons and the Cherryvale Bass Masters. He enjoyed woodcarving, making fishing lures and fishing, especially in tournaments. He and Debra Hentzen were married February 14, 1972. She preceded him in death on December 14, 2002. On April 10, 2004, he and Robin L. Heape were married in Parsons. She survives of the home. In addition to his wife, survivors include: Mother – Martha Cochran and her husband, Levar Parsons, KS One Son – Dustin Watkins Bartlesville, OK One Daughter – Tina Russell and her husband, Ken Bartlesville, OK Four Grandchildren – Kimberly Watkins, Blaine Watkins, Drake Anderson and Dom Anderson He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Keith Watkins, Sr.; and one sister, Leana Cochran. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 24, 2013, at the Church of the Nazarene in Parsons. Burial will be in Edgmand Cemetery near Columbus. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Sunday at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Memorials are suggested to the Children's Department at the Nazarene Church or to the American Heart Association. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Keith Watkins, Jr., please visit our flower store.