Herbert Alden Watkins Sr.

05/24/1934 - 12/07/2014

Herbert Alden Watkins Sr., 80, of Shafter, CA died December 7th, 2014. He was born to the late Ben H. and Lucille Watkins in Hanford, CA on May 24, 1934. Herb graduated from Roosevelt High School in Fresno, CA and was a graduate of Fresno State University. Herb met Alberta Mae Lovelady in Fresno and they married April 9, 1954.
Herb served in the United States Naval Reserve. Among his various jobs, he was Secretary Manager of the Kern County Farm Bureau, Assistant Legislative Director of the American Farm Bureau, Manager of Shafter Vegetable Growers, and a driver for Coast Gas. Whatever the job, Herb was dedicated to serving his employer with honesty, integrity and a work ethic second to none.
Herb was an active member in the Shafter Church of Christ where he served as an elder for most of his 44 years in Shafter. As a servant to the church body he blessed many lives. Herb also enjoyed community involvement, which included a Men's Bible Study, serving with the Shafter Ministerial Society along with years of serving through the Shafter Kiwanis Club.
A rare survivor of pancreatic cancer, Herb worked hard through many health issues and continued to inspire others with his smile and his faith in God. A special thanks is extended to Dr. Baer and Dr. Laughlin for excellently managing his care.
Preceding him in death were his parents and daughter-in-law Paula Watkins. Herb is survived by his wife of 60 years and 4 children: Herb and Sherrill Watkins of Shafter; Pam and Murray McMurray of Thackerville, OK; Cindi and Mike McNabb of Denver, CO; and Craig Watkins of Shafter. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Jason and Lindsey Watkins, Natalie and Ojay McKendry, Be cki McMurray, Jenni McMurray, Brett McMurray, Brian and Emily McNabb, Emily and Jerrod Monsees, Connor and Kate McNabb, Ashley Holcomb, Austen Holcomb and Clayton Watkins. Finally, he is survived by 9 great grandchildren: Isabella Watkins, Ojay Jr., Quest and Preston McKendry, Hollis McNabb, Rowan and Miriel Monsees, Eleanor McNabb and Pearce Reisenauer. 3 Brothers: Wayne, Maurice and Michael Watkins.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org or the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, Inc. at disasterreliefeffort.org.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 11am at the Shafter Church of Christ, 850 Minter Ave, Shafter, CA.
Please send condolences to the family and sign Herb's guestbook at
www.GoldenValleyMemorialCare.com
.
Peters Funeral Home Shafter