My Uncle, Ken Watkins

Uncle Ken is my dad's oldest brother of nine children. He is twelve years older than dad. My dad's three oldest siblings have passed away now (Ken - the oldest, Shirley -oldest sister, Beverly -2nd sister) which makes Uncle Dick the oldest living sibling. Amazing!
FYI: Sibling order with birth year. Ken (1922), Shirley (1924), Beverly (1926), Dick (1928), Jenae (1930), Leila (1932), Grant -my dad (1934), Carol (1936) and Jim (1938).

I love my heritage and extended family. What a wonderful reunion at the funeral to visit with cousins I had not seen or visited with for many years.

The following is the obituary which appeared in the Provo Daily Herald on March 18, 2010.

Kenneth S. Watkins

1922 ~ 2010

Kenneth Snyder Watkins, our husband, father, brother, and friend quietly and peacefully passed away on March 15, 2010. Ken was born June 11, 1922 in Provo, Utah, son of Ira Oray and Ida Jane Snyder Watkins. He enjoyed growing up in Provo, graduating from Provo High School. He joined and served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific fleet aboard the USS Colahan. After his return from the service, he attended BYU. Ken married Fern Peterson on May 23, 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, and then at Geneva Steel, retiring in 1984.

Ken loved to be in the company of his family. He enjoyed the mountains, camping, and hunting with his sons and brothers. He loved to fish and was an avid fly fisherman. He enjoyed ice skating and playing softball when he was younger. Ken was a big BYU sports fan. He loved to garden and share his vegetables with everyone. He served many years in the Boy Scouts. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many callings.

Ken is survived by his wife, Fern; his children Connie Watkins, Midvale; David (Sheila) Watkins, Spanish Fork; Ralph Watkins, American Fork; Diane (Michael) Foerster, Provo; and Craig (Leisa) Watkins, Magna and by 12 Grandchildren and 10 Great-Grandchildren. Also survived by his siblings, Richard (Frances) Watkins, Orem; Janae Parker, Provo; Leila (Bruce) Hill, Provo; Grant (Marcia) Watkins, Moapa, NV; Carol (Myron Leon) Prestwich, Orem; Jim Watkins, Provo; and brother-in-law Cecil Carroll, Tacoma WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Beverly Carroll and Shirley Kallies.

Thank you to all the family and friends during this difficult time, and a special thank you to all the wonderful employees at Applegate Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Bonneville 5th Ward Chapel, 85 South 900 East, Provo, Utah. Friends may call at Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 E. Center, Friday evening from 6 until 8 and at the church Saturday one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be emailed to info@bergmortuary.com.