Dwayne Edward Watkins February 10, 1951 - January 12, 2024

Dwayne Edward Watkins, “Our Pops” left his earthly home for his eternal home on January 12, 2024. While we lost one of the most witty, curious, neighborly and mischievous hearts here on earth, we trust that he is reunited with his beloved bride Michelle, and they are worshipping their Savior together.

Dwayne Edward Watkins was born on February 10, 1951 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to James and Pauline Watkins. He grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma where he enjoyed playing sports, pranking his younger sister Paula, and tinkering with anything and everything he could get his hands on. The mechanics of how things worked fascinated him from an early age so upon graduation he studied Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma State University.

Dwayne was a devoted husband to his wife Michelle of over 44 years before she preceded him in death in 2018. They went on their first date in 8th grade and Dwayne was smitten. While they didn’t date in high school, he boldly declared in her senior yearbook that he would marry her one day. He was right. Together they built a loving family and found so much joy and laughter in their home and in the lives of their 3 daughters. They were also blessed with 3 wonderful sons in law and a “Baker’s Dozen”, 13 grandchildren. Dwayne was a natural hard worker and providing for his family made him most proud. While DW was an OSU alum, all three of his daughters attended OU and he loved to joke that a “Cowboy” paid for their education.

Often referred to as “The Don” by his son in law, DW never met a stranger and quickly became friends with all those he encountered. He had the gift of congeniality and making people laugh with his corny pranks and jokes. He loved to take care of others and could be found in his driveway or at the homes of his friends and loved ones repairing, improving or trouble shooting various mechanical issues. When he saw someone in need, he often met that need quietly and quickly. He loved people and people certainly loved him. Professionally, he enjoyed over 40 years in the HVAC industry before retiring. Of all the roles he filled, his role as Pops was his most cherished. The way he lit up when his grandkids were around was priceless. Dwayne found great joy in his grandkid’s activities, peach sweet tea, phone calls with old friends, and old western reruns.

He was preceded in death by his wife Michelle, his mother Pauline and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his 3 daughters, Beth and husband Blake Hall, Brooke and husband Jimmy Brann, Emily and husband Jon Drake; his father James Watkins and stepmom Alice; sister Paula, 13 grandchildren; and numerous friends. Services to celebrate his life will be on Tuesday, January 23rd at Putnam City Baptist Church in Oklahoma City at 11:00 AM. Visitation will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Seasons Hospice in honor of Dwayne. Please click here to be brought to the donation site.

If you wish to share a memory or send condolences, they can be mailed to Dwayne Watkins c/o Brooke Brann at 10128 S Hudson Avenue, Tulsa OK 74137.