Official Obituary of
Osbourne Thompson Watkins
November 3, 1944 ~ January 30, 2016 (age 71) 71 Years Old
Osbourne Watkins Obituary
On January 30, 2016 our world became less bright and entertaining and the angels gained a force of nature. Ossie Watkins was born November 3, 1944 in Leominister, Massachusetts to Osborne T. Watkins II and Doris Martin while his father was at war. From the beginning, he was a blessing to his mother. Once he started talking, he never stopped and always had a smile and was conjuring up ideas of mischief and good hearted fun. His history of service began early. Always an early riser, he got up early and took his mother to work daily without complaint. After completing high school in Leominister, he continued his education at West Virginia Wesleyan College and received a BS degree in Biology; He then received a Graduate Certificate at Virginia Commonwealth University and completed counseling psychology at Chapman College.
His strong sense of service and duty to country and others were reinforced in the military. He joined the Navy and was a member of the Medical Service Corps. He earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was a mental health and alcohol counselor in the service. After 21 years of faithful service ending at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital. He retired however he continued working as an occupational therapist in California.
Ossie married Marilyn Goodhue and that union produced two beautiful children who Ossie adored. Becky and Osborne T. Watkins IV (O.T.) His children inherited his sense of humor and sensitivity. They were a source of great pride for Ossie. He often bragged about their accomplishments.
His love of hunting and fishing lead to his next big love - Montana. His best friends, Art Gough and Dave Roberts, sparked his love of the state during their hunting and fishing trips. Instantly he was hooked - Montana would be his home. After his divorce in 1996 he began working in Montana. First in nursing homes and then in schools with special needs children. He especially loved working with children. He worked in Kalispell, Eureka, and Butte. All paths in his life were directed to Warm Springs to the love of his life - Gladys Richter. My whole life was meant to be going in your direction.
He began his tenure at Montana State Hospital (MSH) in May of 2000. There he became a Team Leader on one of the adult psychiatric units. He worked with the seriously mentally ill and began more friendships many of whom he still cherishes. He and Gladys became friends and then began a romantic relationship in the fall of 2000. They married July 11 2010 after 10 years of companionship. Ossie instantly gained a second family who cherished him. He was a lovable, irascible soul that you loved deeply no matter what but you could kick him in the behind the next. It was always hard to stay angry with him because he always did something to make you give up the anger. He always tried to pull off being tough and give the Lt. Commander demeanor but he really was a softie at heart.
The biggest portion of his heart, not given to Gladys, was to his children and his newest additions, the Richter clan. Oz really had three sons, O.T. his biological son and Anthony Muhnisky, his nephew and Nick Richter. Nick and Ossie just clicked because of their love of hunting and fishing. They became the best of friends and then in turn Nick's friends became Ossie's growing family. Rich Salle and Jeremy Cline were soon objects of Ossie's friendship and torment. Nick and Ossie were constant companions due to their shared loves and the love of their girls.
In addition to his sportsman activities, he loved biking. He would often be seen in the wee hours of the morning biking from Warm Springs to Butte and as far as Drummond. He and his biking buddies, Ed and Bill were all over the place, but Ossie was the most memorable. Anyone who saw Oz knows why. The biking outfits. Ossie would stand out in his bike outfits. Spandex was not a big thing in Montana and not everyone should wear it. It was always a sight to see Oz in those outfits. They were something you could not unseen.
Some of his greatest times of enjoyment were on the basketball court at lunch. These games were not for the faint of heart. Not only did blood flow but curse word, flew, tempers flared, bones were broken and elbows were used as weapons - usually by Ossie. There were also hijinks in these games with Henry, Ray, Terry, Nick and the others were a source of great fun and irritation. His friendship with these guys continues to this day and is forged with not only blood and irritation but also love.
One of his greatest qualities was his sense of humor. He and his friends were infamous for their practical jokes played upon each other. He could laugh at himself and was often the target of pranks because he took it so well. You also knew that "revenge was a dish best served cold." I often wondered what kind of twisted mind came up with some of his one-liners. His quick witted comebacks were usually hilarious, but even if they weren't you had to laugh because he would end up laughing hysterically at his own jokes with this silly laugh and expression on his face.
After retiring from MSH he continued to work traveling jobs in Montana at Montana Developmental Center in Boulder, nursing facilities in Dillon. He traveled to Durango, CO, Mesa, AZ, Lakeport and Susanville, CA where he added friends whom he still cherishes.
Everything Ossie did came directly from the heart. He was the protector of all whether you were in his care or strangers. Children were his top priority. It did not matter whose they were. That began his mission to be guardian of Benny Goodman Park. His biggest fear was that a child would be harmed or killed and that would break his heart. So Oz, who in his mind was 10 feet high and bullet proof pulled the Lt. Commander attitude from his past and barked orders that received a few salutes. Oz never met a stranger and was always first in line to help a friend or a stranger in need of food, water etc.
He is survived by the love of his life, Gladys; the other great loves his children, Becky and O.T. His sons, not by blood but by love: Anthony Muhnisky (nephew) and Nick Richter. His daughters Chrissy and son-in-law Art Becker, Jennifer and son-in-law Ken Keller; former daughter in law Jessica Richter and newest family member Teal Zeren. His mother, Doris Watkins and sister Linda Muhnisky both of Leominister, MA. The lights of Papa Oz's life his grandchildren: Liam Owen Watkins; Peyton, Grace and soon to arrive Cambrie Richter, Jaelyn and Madden Zeren; Calvin, Avery, and Jones (Big Bones Jones per Papa Oz) Becker; Kendra, Jakob, Joelle, and Alice Jean (AJ) Keller. He was preceded in death by his father, Osborne T Watkins II, his beloved cousin John, his father and mother-in-law Robert and Mattie Monger. His friend, the Godfather, Al Gertler and friend, and mentor Durand "Dewey: Jacobs.
We can't forget his four legged friend Foxy and his Best four legged friend O.T.V.
Ossie will be greatly missed. Our hearts will forever have a large hole that will never be filled because of our loss of him and his great love. We all love and miss you!
Donations in his memory can be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or Pintler Pets.
Memorial Service will be at Longfellow Finnegan Funeral Home, Monday February 8, 2016 at 2:00 P.M.
A luncheon to follow at American Legion Hall located at 3rd and Cedar.
107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
His strong sense of service and duty to country and others were reinforced in the military. He joined the Navy and was a member of the Medical Service Corps. He earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was a mental health and alcohol counselor in the service. After 21 years of faithful service ending at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital. He retired however he continued working as an occupational therapist in California.
Ossie married Marilyn Goodhue and that union produced two beautiful children who Ossie adored. Becky and Osborne T. Watkins IV (O.T.) His children inherited his sense of humor and sensitivity. They were a source of great pride for Ossie. He often bragged about their accomplishments.
His love of hunting and fishing lead to his next big love - Montana. His best friends, Art Gough and Dave Roberts, sparked his love of the state during their hunting and fishing trips. Instantly he was hooked - Montana would be his home. After his divorce in 1996 he began working in Montana. First in nursing homes and then in schools with special needs children. He especially loved working with children. He worked in Kalispell, Eureka, and Butte. All paths in his life were directed to Warm Springs to the love of his life - Gladys Richter. My whole life was meant to be going in your direction.
He began his tenure at Montana State Hospital (MSH) in May of 2000. There he became a Team Leader on one of the adult psychiatric units. He worked with the seriously mentally ill and began more friendships many of whom he still cherishes. He and Gladys became friends and then began a romantic relationship in the fall of 2000. They married July 11 2010 after 10 years of companionship. Ossie instantly gained a second family who cherished him. He was a lovable, irascible soul that you loved deeply no matter what but you could kick him in the behind the next. It was always hard to stay angry with him because he always did something to make you give up the anger. He always tried to pull off being tough and give the Lt. Commander demeanor but he really was a softie at heart.
The biggest portion of his heart, not given to Gladys, was to his children and his newest additions, the Richter clan. Oz really had three sons, O.T. his biological son and Anthony Muhnisky, his nephew and Nick Richter. Nick and Ossie just clicked because of their love of hunting and fishing. They became the best of friends and then in turn Nick's friends became Ossie's growing family. Rich Salle and Jeremy Cline were soon objects of Ossie's friendship and torment. Nick and Ossie were constant companions due to their shared loves and the love of their girls.
In addition to his sportsman activities, he loved biking. He would often be seen in the wee hours of the morning biking from Warm Springs to Butte and as far as Drummond. He and his biking buddies, Ed and Bill were all over the place, but Ossie was the most memorable. Anyone who saw Oz knows why. The biking outfits. Ossie would stand out in his bike outfits. Spandex was not a big thing in Montana and not everyone should wear it. It was always a sight to see Oz in those outfits. They were something you could not unseen.
Some of his greatest times of enjoyment were on the basketball court at lunch. These games were not for the faint of heart. Not only did blood flow but curse word, flew, tempers flared, bones were broken and elbows were used as weapons - usually by Ossie. There were also hijinks in these games with Henry, Ray, Terry, Nick and the others were a source of great fun and irritation. His friendship with these guys continues to this day and is forged with not only blood and irritation but also love.
One of his greatest qualities was his sense of humor. He and his friends were infamous for their practical jokes played upon each other. He could laugh at himself and was often the target of pranks because he took it so well. You also knew that "revenge was a dish best served cold." I often wondered what kind of twisted mind came up with some of his one-liners. His quick witted comebacks were usually hilarious, but even if they weren't you had to laugh because he would end up laughing hysterically at his own jokes with this silly laugh and expression on his face.
After retiring from MSH he continued to work traveling jobs in Montana at Montana Developmental Center in Boulder, nursing facilities in Dillon. He traveled to Durango, CO, Mesa, AZ, Lakeport and Susanville, CA where he added friends whom he still cherishes.
Everything Ossie did came directly from the heart. He was the protector of all whether you were in his care or strangers. Children were his top priority. It did not matter whose they were. That began his mission to be guardian of Benny Goodman Park. His biggest fear was that a child would be harmed or killed and that would break his heart. So Oz, who in his mind was 10 feet high and bullet proof pulled the Lt. Commander attitude from his past and barked orders that received a few salutes. Oz never met a stranger and was always first in line to help a friend or a stranger in need of food, water etc.
He is survived by the love of his life, Gladys; the other great loves his children, Becky and O.T. His sons, not by blood but by love: Anthony Muhnisky (nephew) and Nick Richter. His daughters Chrissy and son-in-law Art Becker, Jennifer and son-in-law Ken Keller; former daughter in law Jessica Richter and newest family member Teal Zeren. His mother, Doris Watkins and sister Linda Muhnisky both of Leominister, MA. The lights of Papa Oz's life his grandchildren: Liam Owen Watkins; Peyton, Grace and soon to arrive Cambrie Richter, Jaelyn and Madden Zeren; Calvin, Avery, and Jones (Big Bones Jones per Papa Oz) Becker; Kendra, Jakob, Joelle, and Alice Jean (AJ) Keller. He was preceded in death by his father, Osborne T Watkins II, his beloved cousin John, his father and mother-in-law Robert and Mattie Monger. His friend, the Godfather, Al Gertler and friend, and mentor Durand "Dewey: Jacobs.
We can't forget his four legged friend Foxy and his Best four legged friend O.T.V.
Ossie will be greatly missed. Our hearts will forever have a large hole that will never be filled because of our loss of him and his great love. We all love and miss you!
Donations in his memory can be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or Pintler Pets.
Memorial Service will be at Longfellow Finnegan Funeral Home, Monday February 8, 2016 at 2:00 P.M.
A luncheon to follow at American Legion Hall located at 3rd and Cedar.
Service
FEB 8. 2:00 PM (MST)
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Service
FEB 8. 2:00 PM (MST)
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
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