Obituary
Harry O. Watkins, MD, beloved surgeon and lifelong resident of Uvalde, died at his home on Oct. 11, 2026, at the age of 90. He was born June 6, 1936 in Uvalde.
Watkins graduated from Uvalde High School in 1953 before attending Southwestern University in Georgetown where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1957. He also earned a welding certificate from Southwest Texas Junior College in the summer of 1954.
After graduating from Southwestern, he went on to graduate from medical school in 1961 at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
Upon completion of medical school, he served a rotating internship and general surgery residency with the Bexar County Hospital District in San Antonio. From 1965 to 1967, U.S. Air Force Captain Watkins served as base surgeon at Luke Air Force Base in Maricopa County, Arizona. He also completed a fellowship in surgical oncology from 1967 to 1968 at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston.
Dr. Watkins returned home to Uvalde in 1968 where he operated a private practice in general surgery for 52 years until his retirement in 2020. He was a medical staff member at Uvalde Memorial Hospital from 1968-2020, including serving as chief of staff from 1971-1972.
In addition to his work at UMH, Watkins also served as staff physician at Community Health Development, Inc., from 2014 to 2018.
Along with his successful medical career, he was a champion of public education in Southwest Texas. He served for 28 years on the board of trustees at Southwest Texas Junior College. He was board president from 2022 to 2026.
Outside his dedication to the area’s health and education, Watkins, who grew up in a ranching family, was a lifelong cattleman. He was especially proud of his association with the American Blonde d’Aquitane Association and served a term as president of the association. He was a regular at Uvalde’s Southwest Livestock Exchange on sales days. He was also an avid supporter of Uvalde County 4-H programs and the annual Uvalde County Junior Livestock Show.
Watkins was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Martha Watkins; brother, Roger Watkins; and sister, Phoebe Watkins Franklin.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Joy Garner Watkins of Uvalde; son Benny Smallwood (Stephanie) of Walters, Oklahoma; brother Beaumont Watkins (Anna) of Uvalde; sister Molly Hardesty of Uvalde; nephew Jack Franklin, MD, (Margaret) of Llano; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family also wishes to express their thankfulness for Cathy Langner of Knippa, Dr. Watkins’ bookkeeper, receptionist, unofficial nurse and friend for some 36 years. In addition, the family is especially grateful for their longstanding friendship with the late John Shudde, MD, and his family.
A memorial service for Watkins will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at the Getty Street Church of Christ in Uvalde.
