Ronnie James Watkins, age 77, met his Lord and Savior face-to-face on Sunday, May 12th, 2024. Ronnie was born on November 6, 1944, to Wanda Ruth (Scott) and Charles Alvin Watkins in Brownwood, TX.
He graduated from Brownwood High School, class of 1965. After graduation, Ronnie attended Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas, on a baseball scholarship. While there, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. Ronnie taught History, coached, and worked as an administrator throughout his career as an educator. He started his teaching and coaching career in Coleman, Texas, then moved to Blanket, Texas, in the mid-70s to the Spring of 1981. He coached the May Tigers from 1981 till 1996, then moved to Plains, Texas, and retired as the Junior High Principal in 1999. After retirement, he started a second career as the Assistant Principal for TJJD’s Ron Jackson facility and retired there in 2008. When Ronnie decided to enjoy retirement, he spent his days on the golf course, playing golf with his buddies in the mornings and poker in the afternoons. In his early years, he loved water skiing, hunting, fishing, and spending time with some of his lifelong childhood friends, which are too numerous to mention, but know that he loved each of you.
Ronnie’s memory will be cherished by his family, including his nephew, Douglas Jester and wife Stephanie of Brownwood; nieces Kathryn Jensen and husband Greg of Canyon City, CO.; and Cynthia Hutchison and husband Todd of Flower Mound. He was also a beloved uncle to five great-nephews and four great-nieces. Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ruth Watkins; his sister, Sharon Kay Watkins; his brother, Charles Edward Watkins; his sister, Patricia Ann Bullion; and his niece, Ruth Ann Roush. Ronnie’s love for his family was deep and unwavering, and he will be dearly missed.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Songbird Lodge for their exceptional care of Ronnie.
They invite all family and friends to a memorial service, a celebration of Ronnie’s life, which will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22nd, at the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel. The service will be officiated by Brother David Barnum.
In honor of Ronnie’s memory, the family kindly requests that instead of flowers, donations be made to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net