Richard Lee "Dick" Watkins, 81, of Carthage, TX, passed away on Friday, September 22, 2017, at his home. He was born on Dec. 25, 1935, in Arlington to the late Garth Fleming and Mildred Mayfair Steeley Watkins. He graduated from Polytechnic High School in Ft. Worth with the class of 1954. In 1958, he earned a bachelors degree in business from the University of Texas at Austin. Dick married Eleanor Kay Grafe on April 19, 1957 in Ft. Worth, and she preceded him in death on Aug. 27, 2011, after 54 years of marriage. Dick worked in management for Montgomery Ward and later Lockheed Martin until his retirement. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, knife making and collecting, country western music, and barbequing. He made excellent sausage and chili. Mr. Watkins moved to Carthage in 2005, from Ft. Worth. He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his son, Richard Douglas Watkins and wife Piaw of Stratford, CT; daughter, Darcy Kay Lerner and husband David of Harleysville, PA; brothers, Robin Watkins and wife Gayle of Henderson, Bob Watkins and wife Melinda of Ft. Worth, and David Watkins and wife Marilyn of Houston; sister, Mary Lu Davis and husband Tommie George Davis of Carthage; and grandchildren, Haley Kay Lerner and Gina Roslynn Lerner of Harleysville.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, at Odd Fellows Cemetery with David Watkins officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 300 N. Old Decatur Rd., Saginaw, TX 76179.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.