Roy Watkins

WATKINS, PEASE, NELSON, VANDERWATER, MAASSEN

Posted By: Connie Street (email)
Date: 4/15/2003 at 17:11:48

Roy Leon Watkins

Roy Leon Watkins, the son of Hilma Nelson and Jesse Watkins was born March 31, 1902 in Vernon Township near Keosauqua. He attended country school and then high school in Keosauqua. In 1924 he was graduated from Iowa State College.

On June 2, 1927 he was married to Dorothy Pease. Two daughters and a son were born of this marriage - Jeanette Vanderwater, of El Cerrito, Calif., Maxine Maassen of Avoca, Iowa, and Jesse of Ames, Iowa.

Roy died June 25, 1968 at his home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, in Janaury 1968. His three children and seven grand children survive.

While a student at Iowa State, he was admitted to both Alpha Zeta and Phi Kappa Phi honoraries. He was one of twelve founders of the Iowa Chapter of Farm House Social Fraternity, and was later an active member of the Keosauqua Masonic Lodge. His Lodge activities included:
- past Master of Keosauqua Lodge No. 10
- Past High Priest of LaFayette Chapter No. 61 of Bonaparte
- Past Commander of Elchanan Commandry No. 28 at Keosauqua
- Member of Inri Council No. 50
- Member of Consistory at Davenport

During his lifetime he taught rural school for a year and participated in Extension Work for Iowa State during his early maried life. Then he bought the family farm where he spent the remainder of his life.

Employment during his life included being an inspector for the Iowa Department of Agriculture from 1954-1963. He was state inspector for the national poultry improvment plan from 1937-1954, and 1965-67. He served on the county draft board for 20 years, and has been its chairman for the past 15 years.

Recently he served as chairman of the Van Buren Extension Service, and as a member of the Van Buren Foundation.

Roy was baptized while young at the Center Chapel Methodist Church and has remained an active and lifetime member holding many offices in the church.

Services were held at Center Chapel Methodist Church on Saturday, June 29, 2 p.m.