CHARLES W. WATKINS

Charles W. Watkins, 95, a life-long resident of Raymore, MO died Tuesday, September 19, 2017, the result of a tragic farm accident.

An evening funeral service will begin at 7:00 p.m., with visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, September 27, at Cullen Funeral Home in Raymore. Graveside services will take place at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, September 28, at Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be given to Dairy Hall of Honors c/o University of Missouri Agriculture.

Charles was born on the Watkins Family Farm, a Missouri Century Farm, to Charles F. and Rita G. Watkins on November 2, 1921 and remained on the farm all of his life. Charles graduated from Raymore High School in 1939, where he was a member of the basketball team. He married the love of his life, Mary Jane Aldrige on April 9th, 1944, and together they stayed on the family farm to work with his parents. They enjoyed 67 years of marriage.

Charles led a very full and rewarding life. He was an Eagle Scout, and a Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, at Camp Osceola. Together, he and his father developed one of the finest Guernsey Dairy herds in the state, winning awards at local and state levels all over Missouri while establishing record amounts for production and butterfat content. Charles was a member of the Missouri Farm Bureau, American Dairy Association, and his father was a member of the Guernsey Hall of Honors at the University of Missouri. They were always active in the Raymore FFA. For many years they presented the annual sterling silver award for the Highest Guernsey Production at the Missouri State Fair. The Watkins continued to maintain the dairy herd until 1966. Following that, they began to expand on their herd of registered Polled Herefords and entered the beef cattle business, reaching upwards of 250 head at one time. By this time they had also increased the size of the farm to 400 acres. The cattle business eventually ceased, and the farm was maintained with crops until this day. On May 2, 2007 Charles and Mary Jane were successful in having the farm placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Charles is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane Watkins; his parents, Charles and Rita; a brother, George F. Watkins; two sisters, R. Luverne Holbrook and Neelie H. Lyman; and nephew James H. Holbrook. Survivors include nephews, Charles F. Lyman, William A. Lyman, and G. Chris Watkins; a niece, R. Katherine Schoene; and many other great-nephews, great-nieces, and friends.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, MO 816.322.5278