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In Memoriam
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KEN'S LIFE STORY Kenneth "Ken" Peter Watkins (67), lovingly known as Kenny, Grandpa and Gramps, passed away on 'Wednesday August 5, 2020 in Houston, TX. Ken was born in 1952 to parents Alfred and Muriel Watkins in St. Louis, Missouri. Ken Graduated from Maplewood Richmond Heights High School in 1971, and on August 5, 1972 he married his high school sweetheart Theresa "Terry" Sue Dalton. Ken was a dedicated husband and father. He treasured his children and embraced every moment with them. He especially loved his role as Grandpa. You could always count on Ken to be present and supporting at recitals, band gigs, soccer matches, softball games, swim meets, and any other activities the grand kids had. Ken had such a friendly, welcoming personality and was always trying to make people around him laugh. He made friends everywhere he went and was loved by so many. You often would hear Ken referring to everyone as his "favorite". Ken had many hobbies over the years: photography, model trains, scuba diving, sky diving, sewing, woodworking, hunting, jewelry making, gardening, leather work, and many more. His passion for cars was one constant that lasted his lifetime and became a career. Working at a car wash, then a local gas station led Ken to work at Kelly Tire which would relocate him from St. Louis to Houston, TX. His career led him to work for AJ Foyt and eventually own his garage. Ken loved racing, building cars, and all things related. His prized possession was his 1965 Cobra kit car which he built from scratch and eventually took out for a few laps on a road course. A huge sports fan, Ken love NASCAR, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Dallas Stars, and all Houston Sports teams, especially the 2017 World Series Champions, Houston Astros. he regularly watched all events and ensured family, twitter, and all social media outlets knew the results. Ken's memory lives on through his wife Terry, and their three daughters; Michelle Pope and husband Jay, Jennifer Davis and husband Richard, Leslie Hernandez and husband Robert; eight grandchildren Emily and Madeline Pope, Wayne, Kaitlin and Abby Davis, and Mariah, Brandon, and bobby Hernandez. Ken is also survived by his siblings Alfred A. "Skip" Watkins III and wife Diane, Christine Evans and husband Richard, Jon Watkins and wife Kristi, and Suzy Taylor and husband Paul, many nieces and nephews and Lucky the dog. Ken was preceded in death by his parents Alfred A. Watkins Jr. and Muriel M. Watkins. Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 15th, at 10 AM with Memorial services beginning at 11:30 AM at Central Baptist Church, Deer Park, TX. The family would like to thank you for the outpouring of live and support during this time. They respectfully request in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Ken's honor to TIRR Memorial Hermann - The Institute of Rehabilitation and Research. www.tirr.memorialhermann.org |
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