Travis Watkins

WATKINS, TRAVIS BRAD BRADFORD Travis Bradford Watkins passed away on Nov. 4, 2011 at La Villa assisted living center in Roswell at the age of 97. He was born March 15, 1914, in Tupelo, Miss to Milow N. Watkins and Margaret Zula King Watkins. He moved with his family to Ada, Oklahoma, in 1925, and graduated from Stonewall OK high school in 1932.

Brad moved to Roswell, NM in 1935, and was employed by two different oil companies. He met Marideth Sherrell of Roswell, they married in 1937 and were married 72 years when she passed away in April 2010. Their three children and spouses survive him Barbara Rizzo who lives in Roswell with her husband George, Brad Watkins Jr. who lives in Magnolia, TX with his wife, Sharon and Stan Watkins who lives in Phoenix with his wife Rozetta Brad was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Frances Pruitt of Ada, OK and brother Robert N. Watkins of Roswell, NM. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Mercer of Cushing OK and nieces and nephews. Other surviving family includes 7 grand children, 8 step grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Brad was an industrious businessman, civic leader, Mason and church leader in Roswell. He and partner, Cecil Anderson, formed Anderson and Watkins Oil Company in 1943, and it grew to become a major distributor of oil and petroleum products in southeastern New Mexico for more than 30 years, at which time the company was sold. He was very active in civic organizations and served as president of Roswell chamber of Commerce, president of the Kiwanis Club and Knife and Fork club. He was president of the New Mexico Liquified Petroleum Gas Assn., served on the Board of Directors of First Federal Bank for 23 years, was on the board of the Soil and Water Conservation and the board of Eastern New Mexico Medical Center.

Brad and Marideth were members of the First Baptist Church in Roswell since 1942, where he served as usher, chairman of the building committee when the present auditorium was built in 1962, as well as subsequent building projects of the church.

Beginning in 1944, Brad became dedicated and very active in the Masonic Lodge. He advanced through the Masonic order to become the Master of Roswell Lodge 18, and was Grand Master of Masons in New Mexico in 197273. At his death, he was the oldest living Past Grand Master of Masons in New Mexico. He was a member of the Knights Templar and the York Rite. He was Worthy Patron of the Order of Eastern Star and assisted with the Rainbow Girls organization and the Order of DeMolay for Boys when his children were growing up.

Funeral Services for Brad Watkins will be Monday, November 7, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at LaGrone Funeral Chapel in Roswell. Rev. Matt Brooks will officiate followed by Masonic burial at South park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Mark Daniels, Jason Penn, Carl Chaffin, Levi Moody, David Baker and Aaron Heyman. Honorary Pallbearers will be Lloyd Stone, Charles Butler, Ben Kerr, John Wortman, Morgan Nelson and Bill Anderson. .

In lieu of flowers the family suggest contributions be made to local charities in Brads honor. The family wishes to thank the many good friends of Brad and Marideth who have visited, prayed and comforted them, and especially the caring and loving staff of LaVilla Memory Care Center and the Vista Care Hospice Team.

You may give your condolences online at: www.lagronefuneralchapels.com

Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.

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