Lynn Watkins

Thomas “Lynn” Watkins passed away at the age of 70 on January 18, 2023 ,surrounded by his family after a battle with liver cancer. He has left us way too soon, but his family is at peace knowing he is no longer in pain.

Lynn was born in 1953 in Dallas, Texas, to parents Donald and La Verne Watkins. He graduated from Adamson High School in 1971 and after a brief stint at college he abruptly decided it wasn’t for him. At age 16 he began what would become his life’s work in metal fabrication. After many years of working for other people, Lynn decided to give it a try on his own. In 1979, with a pickup truck, a welder, a rented storage locker,and no money in his pocket, he opened Watkins Ornamental Iron. Having no money, Lynn went to suppliers asking for an extension of credit, stating that no matter what, he would never “beat them out of their money”. He stayed loyal to his original suppliers because they were the origin of his success. Today, with a team of loyal employees, many of whom have worked for the company for over 20 years, Watkins Ornamental Iron has been and will continue to be the most successful iron fabrication business in Dallas.

Those that knew Lynn know that he lived and loved big. He loved hunting and fishing at his ranch in Moran, Texas. After he purchased it in 1997, he spent nearly every weekend transforming it into his dream property that he could then share with his family and friends for years to come. He enjoyed annual trips to Las Vegas with his family, playing and being mentored in craps by his partner in crime, Terry. He loved relaxing at the lavish pools, eating at the finest restaurants,and catching the best shows Vegas had to offer.

Most of all, he loved his family. Lynn met the love of his life, Esther, 40 years ago in May of 1983 on a job site. Esther worked in Lynn’s office for 6 months and left to start teaching middle school (against Lynn’s wishes). They began dating in January of 1984, married 4 years later and would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this July. Lynn had trouble picturing himself as a father, but in 1994 Lynn and Esther adopted their daughter Taylor and he quickly and gracefully embraced his new role. He supported her in everything she did; from dance recitals, to school functions, sports games, eventually sending her to college to start her career in Interior Design and mentoring her at the start of her career. Everything Lynn worked for was for the betterment of his family and there was never any question of his love for them.

Lynn is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and La Verne Watkins, father and mother-in-law, Donald and Wilma Peterson, and his best friend and hunting buddy, Ronnie Delz. Lynn is survived and missed by his wife, Esther Watkins, daughter, Taylor Watkins (and grand-dog, Olive), brothers Bill (and wife Darlene), Charles and Neal (and wife Donna) Watkins, sisters and brothers-in-law, Terry and Patty Fontenot, David and Ronda Peterson, Steve and Susan Hartsfield, as well as numerous extended family members and adoring friends.

His Celebration of Life will be held at 2pm on Friday, January 27th, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy. He lived a wonderful and full life doing what he loved and always did things “his way”. He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you instead donate to the Dwayne Janak Scholarship Fund through the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville, TX.

Checks can be mailed to:

DeAnn Butler

3520 Cabriolet Ct.

Plano, TX 75023

Made payable to: Sacred Heart Catholic School

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Watkins family.