Mefford "Dale" Watkins, age 62, of Rapid City, died Tuesday, September 6, 2016, at Carpenter. His memorial services was held at 10 AM, Tuesday, September 13th at Open Bible Church in Rapid City. Inurnment was held in the Black Hills National Cemetery.
Mefford Dale Watkins was born to Robert Ernest Watkins, Sr. and Mildred Opal Daniels in San Antonio, Texas on May 11, 1954. Dale was raised with three sisters and one brother in Texas. Upon his graduation from Lanier High in 1973, he joined the Air Force and served some of his time as an educational specialist.
He married Diane Rhoden shortly after high school. Together they had three children: Laura, Daniel and Jonathan. Dale and Diane divorced in 1981, allowing Dale to meet and marry the love of his life, Judy. In addition to adopting their niece, Andrea, they also had three loving children of their own: Leslie, Catey and Matthew.
Dale went on to work for the Federal Prison Systems and moved across the country to fulfill his desire to help others. Eventually they settled in Rapid City following Dale's retirement, where they flourished by loving one another and God.
Dale joined his forever love on September 6th peacefully. He is reunited with his parents; daughter; and brother, Robert. Dale will be forever missed for his devotion, artistic passion, love and laughter by all his children; his grandchildren; his three sisters; as well as extended family and friends.