Kirby D. Watkins

FORT WORTH -- Kirby D. Watkins, 92, passed away Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, in Fort Worth. Funeral: 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at Wade Family Funeral Home Chapel, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Interment: Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park, Fort Worth. Kirby was born Feb. 2, 1920, in Muse, Okla., to George Evan Watkins M.D. and Lillian Cordelia Hilton. Kirby served eight years in the Army Air Force before and during World War II. This included several years at March Field where, under the direction of Capt. Colin P. Kelly Jr., and as a junior enlisted man, he taught navigational theory to officers. He earned master's degrees in chemistry from Southern Methodist University and mathematics from the University of Arkansas. He taught math, chemistry, and other subjects at Richardson High School, Sunset High School, and Adamson High School as well as coaching football. He later became a math professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he taught for several decades. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and three sisters. Survivors: He was survived by wife, Bea Watkins; sister, Helen Farson of California; nephew, Bill Loflin and wife, Terri; great-nephews, Robby and Daniel Loflin; great-great-nephew, Connor; and numerous other nieces and nephews. Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233