Bobby Jerald Watkins

1939 - 2018

Bobby J Watkins passed away on November 23 after a brief illness. Bobby was a Good Man. He was born in Roswell, NM to B. J. & Boots Watkins and spent most of his life growing up in the mountains of Ruidoso. He was raised learning to live off nature and spoke often of his adventures as a young man of 5 or 6 years old building a camp down on the river where he cooked for himself and slept under the tall pines.
He was an adventurous soul and loved nature. He shot his first deer at age 11 and often helped his dad as a guide for other hunters. His love of nature led to his love of hunting, fishing and outdoor life. Bobby was a "Man's man & a Lady's man." He was a gentleman who loved & respected women and never let them open a door or carry a load. He had a love for people and was always ready with a big hug. Bobby never knew the word moderation and he loved with his full essence. If you knew him you loved him.
Bobby went to college at TCU and described spending four of the best years of his life as a freshman at TCU. While in Dallas he worked at Parkland Hospital as an X-ray technician and also X-rayed welds on the Saturn missile in the 60's. After returning to Ruidoso he married Denese Short and they were married for 55 years. They both worked at the Sierra Blanca Ski Area when they first married then moved to El Paso and have lived in the area for 53 years. He was a top salesman for McKesson & Robbins then took a position managing the Ski Skeller with shops in five cities including Vail, Colorado where they lived one year. After that he built several roofing businesses and had one of the first Maquila plants in Juarez where they produced rolled roofing. He owned his own railroad cars in Mexico which was something he was told could not be done. He built Watkins Materials & Frontier Roofing.

Bobby was a volunteer on the Sun Bowl Press Host Committee for several years and a member of the White Wing Fling group of bird hunters for 44 years. The friendships and bonds from that group have been and important part of Bobby's life. Bobby was an avid shooter who won many awards.

He is survived by his wife Denese, son Bram Watkins, daughter in law Stacey Watkins, daughter Brandi Brown & husband Hunter, Grandsons Baylor Watkins & Parker Brown, granddaughters Brynna Watkins & Aly Brown. Sister Beverly Merritt & husband Ronnie of Roswell, sister in laws Sharon Perry & Myra & Ronnie Taylor and many nieces, nephews & friends.
He was so proud of his children & grandchildren and found great joy in watching them grow into the incredible individuals that they are. He taught them to be respectful, kind and strong.

Bobby loved being at Elephant Butte and cherished his lake friends. He taught many young men & women to fish over the years. He was so patient and you could find him fishing late at night waiting for that one more bite and the next big fish. He will be remembered by his family & friends as a gentleman that was generous & kind. He loved his family, friends & his country.
A Celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, December 1, 11:00 AM at the Abundant Living Faith Center West 7100 N. Desert Blvd. El Paso Texas. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association, 110 Mesa Park Dr. #250 El Paso, Tx. 79912, www.alz.org West Texas Chapter. Both of our mothers had the disease.