Reeve "Bud" Watkins

WATKINS, PETERSON

Posted By: M. Durr - IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 5/23/2010 at 15:07:40

Bud passed away peacefully in his sleep March 14, 2010.

He was born in Chicago and grew up in Waukon until the age of 13. He moved with his parents, Reeve and Ann Watkins to Richmond, CA as a teenager.

He graduated from Richmond High School, San Mateo Jr. College and came to College of the Pacific on a baseball and basketball scholarship where he played 1950-1951. Their basketball team was the first ever to be invited to a national tournament and he was the M.V.P. of the Tiger baseball team. He signed with the Sacramento Solons of the original Pacific Coast League and was optioned to the Stockton Ports in 1952. He was recalled to Sacramento Solons in 1953. In 1954 in the army, he pitched the Ft. Ord Warriors to the World Service Championship over the Army, Navy and Marines. In 1958 he pitched the last Pacific Coast League game in San Francisco Seals Stadium beating the Seals, and pitched a no-hitter vs. Portland. In 1959 the Solons traded him to Vancouver of the P.C.L. who sold him to Phoenix where he played with Willie McCovey and won eight games in a row in a two month period. In 1960 he was traded back to Sacramento and in 1961 played in Hawaii on their team in the P.C.L.

In 1962 he retired from baseball with wonderful stories he loved to share with anyone who would listen. He was in the insurance business until he retired except for when he served as Pacific’s athletic promotions director from 1978-1983. He was so proud to be a member of U.O.P. Athletic Hall of Fame since 1986.

He married his loving and devoted wife Nancy (Peterson) at Morris Chapel in 1957 and is survived by Nancy, his children, Tern and David Watkins, and his grandsons, Michael and Shane Watkins, his brother-in-law, Bob Peterson, wife Maddy, nephews Bobby Peterson and wife Gloria, Tom Peterson and wife Cristine and many other family members and friends.

In honor of his wishes, there will not be a memorial service. His ashes will be scattered in the place he loved most, Hawaii, by his family at a later date. They want you to enjoy memories you shared with him, his great humor, laugh, and devotion to his family and friends.

I’VE PITCHED MY LAST INNING, I’VE PLAYED MY LAST GAME, FOR IT’S ONE, TWO, THREE STRIKES YOU’RE OUT AT THE ‘OL BALL GAME.

Bud’s family asks that memorial contributions be made to University of the Pacific Athletic Programs for baseball and basketball, 3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95211 or Assistance League of Stockton, P.O. Box 7766, Stockton, CA 95267.

Waukon, Iowa newspaper, THE STANDARD, March 31, 2010.
Contributor is not related and has no further information.