David Lavaun Watkins

In Loving Memory of David L. WatkinsDavid L. Watkins, 72, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 11, 2015, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in October of 1943 in Seattle to Lawson L. (Vaughn) and Mary K. Watkins (nee Burkepile). David grew up primarily in California where he attended California State University Northridge (CSUN) and graduated with his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Biology. David married Judy McMullen in 1963 and together they raised two children, Michael and Dana in Pacoima, CA and Bellevue, WA. He worked full-time during college as an aircraft machinist at Lockheed in Burbank, CA, and later, for Weyerhaeuser as a purchasing executive at their headquarters in Federal Way, WA.In 1993, David married JoAnn Plasek (nee Meissner) creating a blended family that included her girls, Sarah and Tammy. When he retired from Weyerhaeuser after 23 years of exemplary service, David and JoAnn moved to the quiet of Big Sky Country, so he could realize his dream of living out his days hunting and fishing in Montana. David and JoAnn celebrated 22 years of marriage together this year.Davids love of nature and the outdoors defined him. He never missed an opportunity to identify animal tracks in the wild, to stop by the side of the road to admire a waterfall, or to visit his favorite cabin in Miles City, MT to watch the sunset fall from an endless sky. For most of his life, he had a black Labrador retriever as a trusty companion and hunting partner (Skipper, Bess, Kate, and Skye). If you knew David well, you loved his wonde, lengthy, animated stories. David is survived by his wife JoAnn, son Michael (Karen), daughter Dana (Mike), daughter Sarah (Chris), daughter Tammy (Nelson), and six delightful grandchildren: Hannah, Spencer, Elizabeth, Patrick, Jayden, and Sophia. David was the oldest of seven children and is survived by five sisters: Katherine, Dolly, Mary, Christine, and Susan. He was predeceased by his beloved parents and brother Robert.Davids legacy of unbending integrity, stoic strength, and loving his family deeply will continue to live in our minds and hearts.A Memorial to honor David will be held on Tuesday, December 22nd at 10:00 am, at Becks Funeral Home on 5th Avenue S. in Edmonds, WA. Recn to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Audubon Washington https://give.audubon.org/Giving/Page/135/1/135.JAX46Name Tab Announcement: In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Audubon Washington https://give.audubon.org/Giving/Page/135/1/135.