James (Jim) Milton Watkins of Plano, Texas passed away on March 7, 2021 at the age of 77. He was born on July 26, 1943 to Robert Burgin and Marydel (Hawkins) Watkins in Bryan, Texas. Jim graduated from Stamford High School in Stamford, Texas and from Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and interior design in 1967. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines. Jim owned his own business, Watkin’s Associates and later worked as an architect for FKP, Craycroft McElroy Hendrix, JHP Architecture and several other architectural firms. He was an avid soccer fan and he coached soccer for many years and was involved in the Boy Scouts. Jim loved to bike, competing in the Hotter’N Hell competition, and he loved weightlifting as well.
Jim is survived by his wife, Maria Watkins of Plano, Texas; sons, Jay Watkins of Stamford, Texas and Scott Watkins and wife, Eni of Irving, Texas; stepsons, Raul Villalon and wife, Amy of Flower Mound, Texas, Saul Villalon and wife, Nikki of Dallas, Texas and Paulo Villalon of Sunnyvale, Texas; 6 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; sister, Mary Lou Brown and husband, Dan; nephews, Aaron Ward and wife, Anna and Josh Brown and wife, Laura; niece, Cara Lazenby and husband, Shaun and numerous other family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Burgin and Marydel Watkins.
Family and friends are invited to the funeral home at their convenience on Sunday, March 14, 2021 to pay their respects and to sign the register book.
A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2021 at Ridgeview Memorial Park at the Pavilion, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas.
In support of our local, state, and federal govt including CDC directives and to protect the physical health, safety and well-being of our community, the following are Ridgeview Memorial Parks guidelines. All are invited to attend the Graveside Service, maintaining social distancing or you may remain in your vehicle. You will be able to listen to the service through speakers set up at the gravesite.
The graveside service will also be video recorded and will be available following the graveside service at TJMfuneral.com on Jim’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/james-milton-watkins.
A “come and go” visitation will be held on Sunday afternoon from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. Only a limited number of guests will be allowed to enter the funeral home facility at any one time to maintain social distancing.