James E. Watkins

James Edward Watkins stepped into his eternal home on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 with his family by his side. He was born October 9, 1927 to Gene and Ella (Roberts) Watkins in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. James attended school at Fort Gibson Schools and graduated in 1945. Shortly after graduation he traveled to the state of Oregon to work at a cannery for the summer before joining the US Army in January of 1946, stationed at Camp Chaffee Arkansas. He trained as a telegraph mechanic prior to active duty in Yokohama, Japan, with the occupational battalion. While serving in Japan, he became a boxer and fought numerous times against other boxers of Japan before discharging in later 1947. He received two medals for honorable service, “Army of Occupation Medal Japan”, and “Honor of WWII Victory Medal Japan”. He married the love of his life, Pauline Byfield, in a double wedding ceremony of her twin sister, Florene Byfield and his best friend, Troy Eubanks, on July 2, 1948 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. They celebrated 61 years of marriage in which they made their home in Muskogee. In this union they had 3 children. James began working at Muskogee Iron Works as lead supervisor in the galvanizing department before promotion to the drafting department where he became chief draftsman after obtaining his degree in mechanical engineering. He retired after 48 years under the direction of Union Metal. He was preceded in death by his parents; spouse, Pauline; two sons; Jimmy Wayne and Dwayne Edward Watkins; and his siblings, Dorothy Black, Louise Walden, and Billy Gene Watkins. James is survived by one daughter, Paula Watkins White; six grandchildren, Lori White of Muskogee, Lisa Ward (Ryan) of Glenpool, Garey Blake White of Muskogee, Beth Hall (Blake) of McKinney, Texas, Brooke Brann (Jimmy) of Tulsa, and Emily Drake (Jon) of Elgin; twenty great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends, Garey White and Charles Henderson. Funeral services celebrating James’ life will be 10:30AM, Monday, September 30, 2024 at Timothy Baptist Church in Muskogee with Rev. Gary Underwood and Pastor Kelly Payne officiating. The family wish to thank Grace Hospice services for the wonderful love and care during the final days of his life.

James E. Watkins

October 9, 1927 - September 24, 2024