Harold Upchurch Watkins, Sr.

d. July 3, 2016

HENDERSON-Harold Upchurch Watkins Sr, 95, died peacefully 3 July 2016 at Duke Regional Hospital with family at his side. Harold was born in Henderson on Friday the 13th of May 1921. (He always said 13 was his lucky number. He was born on Friday the 13th and you add the digits of his birth year together you get 13).After graduating from Henderson High School, Harold first served during WWII in the Coast Guard.He volunteered for discharge to work with a security team in Greenland at the Ivigtt Cryolite Mine.Cryolite, used in the production of aluminum, was a war time critical resource.Next Harold joined the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Wilkes-Barre (CL 103) a Cleveland class light cruiser.Aboard the Wilkes-Barre, Harold managed the small arms repair shop and he had a topside battle station as a antiaircraft gun director.Harold and Scottie were married September 15, 1942.Upon returning to Henderson, Harold built a house on Davis St where he lived with his family for over fifty years.Harold served 20 years in the Henderson Police Department, working his way from entry level to Chief of Police.Upon retiring from the police department Harold served 10 years as Head of Security for Vance Senior High School.In 2006, Harold and Scottie moved to Durham to be with their daughter, Rose Wolf and her husband Gene.
Harold was a member of First United Methodist Church, former President of the Mens Bible Class, and member of the official board.He was the Scout Master of Troop 691, also serving as a merit badge counselor and committeeman for many years.He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.Harold was a member of the Henderson Masonic Lodge # 229 AF & AM where he received his 60 year Diamond Jubilee Award.He was a member of Henderson Chapter #54 of Royal Arch Masons; of Henderson Council #10 of Royal and Select Masters; of Henderson Commander #15 Knights Templar, and Henderson York Rite Bodies.He was a Shriner of Amran Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. of Raleigh.
Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Scottie A. Watkins of Durham; sons, Scott Watkins and wife Judy of Wilmington, Dan Watkins and wife Sandra of Fuquay-Varina, Harold (Hal) Watkins Jr. of Raleigh, Hartwell Watkins and wife Kristin of Cary; a daughter, Rose W. Wolf and husband Gene of Durham; 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; nephew Eugene Watkins and wife Lorraine and niece, June Blanks, all of Henderson.Harold is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Mabel Freeman Watkins and his two brothers, Talton Watkins and Allen Watkins.
Family will receive visitors from 9:30 until 11:00 at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.The funeral will be held at First United Methodist Church Thursday 7 July 2016 at 11:00 AM by the Reverend Terry Huffines.Burial will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Masonic Lodge members: Danny Wilkerson, Billy Currin, Mike Williamson, Vernon Mustian, Butch Spain, and Donald Seifert.Honorary pallbearers will the First United Methodist Church Mens Bible Class, all other members of the Henderson Masonic Lodge and all law enforcement officers of Vance County.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Good Neighbor Fund, 114 Church St, Henderson, NC 27536

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Harold Upchurch Watkins, Sr.

d. July 3, 2016

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