Jerald D. Watkins of Riverdale celebrated his 80th birthday in October with his sister Joyce Watson of Kennewick, Wash., on her birthday. His sister and her grandson: Sharon Conradt and Jacob Woodall, hosted a luau for the occasion. Family attended from Idaho and Georgia. He was also honored with a small family party on Jan. 18.
He was born Jan. 18, 1932, in Ogden to Alvin Eugene Watkins and Geneve Marie Malan. He moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, at age 5, and attended Twin Falls High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years in Portland, Ore., and in Fairbanks, Alaska, as staff sergeant, supervising a crew repairing jet engines. He later worked for Mountain Bell in Twin Falls and in Ogden, covering 31 years, retiring as a manager from U.S. West in 1994.
He married Nona J. Norman on May 12, 1972, in Riverdale. Their vows were solemnized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ogden Temple on May 12, 2004.
He served as the first inner-city welfare missionary for two years in the Jefferson LDS Ward, and as a worker in the Ogden LDS Temple for eight years. He served as an assistant in the leadership of the high priests group. He and his wife were grand marshals of the July 4, 2008, Riverdale Old Glory Days Parade.
He enjoys golfing with friends and traveling with his wife in their motor home.
His children are Vickie Watkins (deceased), Tony and LeAnn Watkins, Kristy Woods, Kami and Travis Malan, and Tara and Glenn Weaver. He has 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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