Norman Alden Watkins

Norman was born January 4, 1936 in Placerville, California and raised by his late parents, Archie Watkins and Iona (Bozarth) Watkins along with his brother Trevor in Placerville, California. He graduated from El Dorado High School in Placerville in 1954 and attended Corpus Christi State University, Texas A&M in Corpus Christi, Texas and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

Norman proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Of course he liked travelling the world and after 21 years of service to his country he retired in 1974. He was stationed in San Diego and Lemoore, California; Barber’s Point, Hawaii; New Iberia, Louisiana; Memphis, Tennessee; Kingsville and Corpus Christi, Texas.

He met Loretta Stanford in Corpus Christi, Texas while she was volunteering at the USO and they were married on November 05, 1960 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Norman enjoyed stock car racing in the 70’s and drove the “Spirit of ’76" race car, painted red, white & blue with stars and the #76. Norman was known as Wimpy T. (the) Clown – “Mayor of Clown Town” in Corpus Christi, Texas and worked the MDA telethons and at Ada Wilson Crippled Children's Hospital from 1977 to 1982. Norman was also known to live at the bowling alleys, he truly loved to bowl. He was the Senior Bowling Champion in Victoria in 2000.

Norman was a Basketball coach at St. Joseph Junior High School in Corpus Christi, Texas and Odem ISD Junior High School in Odem, Texas. After 5 years teaching, he retired and moved to Victoria in 1985 and went to work for Devereux Foundation.

Norman is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Loretta (Stanford) Watkins; daughters, Rebecca Davis, Kathy Mansur, and Dorothy Re; seven grandchildren, Holly Jo Davis, Randall Mansur, Rachel Mansur, Sheryl Marley (Andrew), David Branagan, Jr., Caitlyn Re, Tatiana Re, and seven great grandchildren.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Trevor Watkins.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:30 pm, Saturday, September 30, 2017 at Colonial Funeral Home Chapel in Victoria, Texas, with Pastor Larry Green presiding. Family will begin the gathering at 1:00 and continue through 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Norman’s memory to Hospice of South Texas, Wounded Warrior’s Project, or Breast Cancer Awareness Association. Those wishing to sign Norman’s guestbook may do so at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com

Our family would like to give a special thank you to the Methodist Hospital MICU in San Antonio, Texas for their loving care and support of Norman. Also thank you to Colonial Funeral Home for their assistance throughout all preparation of our arrangements.