Tommy Gwyn Watkins

1934 - 2018

Tommy Gwyn Watkins

Fate, TX

Tommy Gwyn Watkins of Fate, Texas passed away on Thursday morning, September 6, 2018 in the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. He was 83 years old.

His Homecoming Pep Rally Celebration will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 15, at Gustine High School Gymnasium in Gustine, Texas.

Tommy was born in Olney, Texas to George Collin and Yvonne Vaught Watkins on December 16, 1934. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1953 and went on to McMurry University where he graduated in 1957.

He was an active member of the Pettit Baptist Church in Gustine, TX before moving to Fate due to his health. He loved old hymns and loved singing them in his sweet tenor voice up to his death.

Coach Watkins began his 44 year career in Rotan, Texas and retired in 2001 in Rowlett, Texas. Throughout the years of his distinguished career, he earned numerous awards, 3 state football championships, many Coach of the Year honors, and listed among Texas coaches greats in Dave Campbell's Texas Football 50th Anniversary Edition. On July 21, 2010, Tommy was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor.

Tommy was an avid fisherman. He spent countless hours on lakes, rivers and ponds with his family, coaches, and friends. Many loving memories were created there.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Collin and Yvonne Watkins, his three brothers, Johnnie, Jerry, and Bill Watkins, his sister Gloria Burkhalter and her husband O'Neil, Cullen and Floriene Stephens, and Dean Howell.

Tommy is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sylvia, his daughters, Tanya Watkins Dorris and husband Jon, Terri Watkins Burnett, Paige Watkins Cadenhead and husband Rob, Shana Walker Rodriquez and husband Mark, Sharla Walker, and his former wife, Pat Watkins, sister Sandra Watkins Ritchie and husband Gerald, sister-in-laws Delores and Connie Watkins, sister-in-law Inantha Beth Stephens Howell, and brother-in-law Cullen Stephens, Jr. Tommy was blessed with fifteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He left behind a legacy for his much loved extended family, as well as his life-long friends, colleagues and those fortunate enough to call him coach.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Alzheimer's research or a charitable organization is requested.