IN MEMORY

ROSALYN (URBANTKE) HOELSCHER sent me the following information last night. I am sorry to say I don't remember John, however, he was a good friend of Rosalyn's and her family. She said he was a classmate of the Class of '57 until he joined the Navy at an early age. Some of you may find his photo in an early BHS annual. Unfortunately, mine were lost long ago.

"Just want to let you know that John Wayne Watkins passed away this past week. He has been in the hospital since Nov. 19th,the past few months he was at the VA Hospital in Big Spring. He had lung cancer-then it went into throat and voice box, so he has not been able to talk or eat since January (very sad). His funeral was today (Saturday) in San Angelo"...
JOHN WAYNE WATKINS

Publication Date: May 23, 2008

SAN ANGELO - "John Wayne Watkins, 70, of Carlsbad, died Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Big Spring, Texas after a courageous battle with cancer. Graveside military burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24, in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Johnson's Funeral Home. John was born on Jan. 10, 1938, in Coleman, Texas, and later moved with his family to Ballinger. He joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served aboard the USS Princeton. He was later stationed at Barber's Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii where his son, Allen Wayne Watkins was born. After his discharge from the Navy he worked as an officer for the Ballinger and San Angelo Police Departments and also for the Undercover Vice Task Force of the Dallas Police Department. He later moved to Carlsbad, Texas where he retired from the Texas Department of MHMR after working 20 years at the San Angelo State School. Survivors include his son, Allen Wayne Watkins and family of Arvada, Colo.; one sister, Willie Mae Cole of Ballinger; numerous nieces, nephews and many close friends. John was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 N. Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203-1977, The American Cancer Society or your favorite charity."

I'm sorry I couldn't get John's photo to copy from the article in the Standard Times online obituary. If any of you are interested, you may go to their site and click on Obituaries:

http://www.gosanangelo.com/

This is a good address for you to make one of your Favorites or Bookmarks. That way you may keep up with news of this area no matter where you are. I'll place it in the left hand corner of the blog, along with other websites you may find interesting. KRUN's website keeps you up-to-date on Ballinger as well. (You can see who's holding a garage sale!)

On another note, I think I advised everyone that PEGGY (BRANHAM) KRUMLINDE'S test results were all negative. This is one time that negative is definitely "positive"!

I spoke with Carolyn, JERRY DAVIS's wife, yesterday. (He was taking a bath.) She said he was out of "critical care", and in another room at the hospital. His number is now 325-670-5626. They were preparing to remove the oxygen and hopefully allow him to return home. If you call the hospital and are unable to reach him, he may be home by the time you read this. Keep the prayers going for a complete recovery.
Something that has fascinated me since moving back to Ballinger is the vineyard on the San Angelo highway. I know it was planted by a Canadian doctor, Antoine Albert, during the 80s, and that they actually made the wine here for a while. Now the sign says it is owned by Becker Farms, Inc. I have done a little research online trying to find out if they are still making wine from the grapes harvested here. I assume they must be, as the vineyard is being irrigated and looks healthy and green. (I must remember to look for grapes as the season progresses!) I found a Becker Farms in Texas and one back east, but no mention of the Bluebonnet Hill Vineyard.

When I tried to locate Dr. Albert, I found a website he had in 2005. Seems he had become a personal "coach", specializing in assisting medical doctors. His bio mentioned that while he lived in Ballinger, he built a modern clinic. Is that the same clinic we have here today, located on Third Street? I tried to email him, but he no longer has that email address. Maybe he returned to Canada?? If anyone out there can fill me in, I'd love to know the history -- particularly of the wine.

This is Memorial Day weekend, so if any of you have loved ones who have served or who are serving now in the military, we honor you as well as them. We especially need to remember those who lost their lives in service to our country.

A few tips for using the blog... 1) Any photo may be double clicked on and enlarged. 2) The photo slideshows to the left of the blog may be double clicked on, also. When you do that, it will take you directly to the web albums, allowing you to read captions as well as enlarge the photos. 3) To comment on the blog, go to the bottom of the post and click on "Comments". A popup window will allow you to write your comment and send it to me. You may also view comments, if any, by clicking on "Comments". 4) To listen to the music, go to the music "window" to the left of the blog and click on the big arrow. Remember to have your sound on. Of course, you can always email me directly with any news or comments you wish to have published (or not - just let me know).

I look forward to hearing from some new folks. 'Til then, go out there and make the "good stuff" happen!

Marilyn












Runnels County Courthouse