BRIGHAM CITY – Ray Henry Watkins, 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 12, 2004 at his home in Brigham City with his family surrounding him. He was born on October 17, 1915 in Beaver Dam, Utah, a son of John Hyrum and Lucy Clara Yates Watkins. Ray served in World War II in the Navy for four years, receiving an honorable discharge on October 8, 1945. He married his sweetheart, Hope Elaine Getz on January 20, 1951 in Cedar City, Utah. Ray was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he was an Elder. In his youth, Ray enjoyed singing at weddings, and church functions. He liked to help with the Boy Scout Program. Ray and Elaine lived in Rexburg, Idaho and following the Teton Dam Flood they relocated to Brigham City. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, as a Gandy Dancer (Section Foreman) where he retired in 1974. He enjoyed working out in his yard and his garden and shared the produce with his family and friends. He loved flowers but most of all loved his roses. He also enjoyed fishing with his family. Surviving are his wife, Elaine of Brigham City, one son, Frederick C. Watkins of Oxnard, CA; three daughters, Tonya Rae Olsen of Farmington, N.M.; Connie Hymas of Keflavik, Iceland and Pam Amidon of Davie, FL; 11 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Clara Ann Watkins, one brother and six sisters. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Vista Care Hospice and their neighbors for the care they gave to Ray and Elaine. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 16, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gillies-Petersen Funeral Chapel, 634 East 200 South, Brigham City and on Sunday 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral chapel. Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded.

Children:
Pamela D. Watkins Amidon
Fredrick Coplin Watkins
Clara Ann Watkins
Tonya Rae Watkins Olsen
Constance Elaine Watkins Hymas

Grandchildren:
Don Coplin Watkins
Derek
Bill
Don
Kurt
LaVon
Michele
Paul
Erick
Nichole
Aaron