Wes Watkins, who represented Oklahoma’s 3rd Congressional District for a cumulative 20 years, died this morning of cardiac arrest. He was 86.
Watkins took congressional office in 1976 after two years in the Oklahoma State Senate. He succeeded former U.S. House Speaker Carl Albert, who ultimately endorsed Watkins as Albert retired from a 30-year tenure. Running as a Democrat, Watkins won the election by securing 81.9 percent of the vote, and he won subsequent reelections by at least 77 percent of the vote until leaving Congress to run for governor in 1990. He lost in the Democratic primary to eventual Gov. David Walters by a difference of 0.6 percent. In 1994, he ran for governor as an independent candidate, earning 23.5 percent of the vote.
In 1996, he returned to the House of Representatives, this time as a Republican, reflecting the statewide swing in party affiliation from Democratic to Republican dominance still seen today. He left office in 2003.
“I had a purpose. And I felt like that wasn’t just my purpose, it was the purpose of trying to help the people who were hungry for jobs. They were wanting someone to try to help give them a better way of life,” Watkins said when interviewed by the Oklahoma Historical Society in 2017. “I never lost sight of that. I’ve tried to be a public servant, truly.”
During his first stint in Congress, Watkins served on several committees, including the Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee, the Science and Technology Committee, the Appropriations Committee, the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee and the Rural Development Subcommittee. During his second stint, he served on the House Committee on the Budget, the House Ways and Means Committee, and the Human Resources Subcommittee.
Watkins’ sponsored legislation often addressed rural concerns, including the Rural Industrial Assistance Act of 1986, and policy benefitting sovereign tribal nations. He sponsored or co-sponsored 151 bills that ultimately became law. Early in his career, he advocated for the Equal Rights Amendment alongside his wife, Lou, and recently-deceased former state Sen. Billie Floyd.
Born Dec. 15, 1938, in De Queen, Arkansas, Watkins endured a difficult childhood, according to his son, Wade Watkins.
“It always blew my mind that he overcame so much as a boy — a broken home, extreme poverty, multiple trips to California so one or both of his parents could work, a speech impediment — and hitchhiked to [Oklahoma State University] and lived in a literal chicken house,” Wade Watkins said.
Wes Watkins spent most of his childhood in Bryan County. He graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education in 1960 and a master’s degree in educational administration in 1961, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society. During his time at the university, he was state president of the Future Farmers of America — part of a lifelong support of FFA, according to his son — and student body president.
After graduating, he became a land developer and homebuilder. Since 1991, Watkins lived in Stillwater and was an avid fan of the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls. Watkins and his wife, who met in OSU’s library, made significant contributions to the university, including 16 endowed scholarships. His legacy is memorialized by multiple buildings on Oklahoma State’s campus, including the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade Development and the Wes Watkins Agricultural Research and Extension Center. The Wes Watkins Technology Center in Wetumka and a lake in Pottawatomie County also bear his name, along with several other institutions in the state.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lou Rogers Watkins, who is a retired educator, activist and former Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents chairperson. He is also survived by son Wade Watkins and his partner Gena Ford; daughter Martha Pittman and her husband Arthur Pittman; son-in-law Joe Vielma; and grandchildren Bradley Arthur Pittman and his wife Ashley Phillips Pittman, Elizabeth Raye Pittman, Rena Cheyenne Dollarhide and her husband Cody Dollarhide, and Emma Watkins. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Sally Watkins Vielma. His son remembers Watkins as loving his children and grandchildren “with a full heart.”
“He loved this state and his family immensely. He was my inspiration and mentor and taught me to always try and serve others first. He exemplified that concept for over a half century,” Wade Watkins said. “His entire life was about serving others and helping many who needed it most. I think the title of his autobiography sums it up nicely: Making Things Better.”
Oklahoma leaders remember Wes Watkins
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK4), who joined the U.S. House of Representatives as Watkins departed it in 2003, remembered his colleague fondly.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of my dear friend and distinguished public servant, Wes Watkins of Stillwater, Oklahoma,” Cole said. “Wes was the only person in Oklahoma history to carry a congressional seat as a Democrat, as an Independent in his 1994 Governor’s race, and finally as a Republican. No politician was ever as popular in the historic Third District, also known as Little Dixie. (…) Wes Watkins may have changed political parties, but he never changed his political principles. He also never lost his passion for public service or let down the people he worked so hard to represent.
“Wes Watkins loved three things above all else — his family, the people of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State University. He served all of them with love, dedication, and genuine distinction. The soulmate and cherished partner of Wes Watkins’ life was his beloved wife, Lou. You literally cannot think of one without thinking of the other. Their marriage was truly a match made in heaven. I will miss my friend Wes. The people of Oklahoma will miss him more. As one of his television ads once claimed, there simply was ‘no better man.’ I extend my deepest sympathies to Lou, Wes’ children and grandchildren, and to all of Wes Watkins’ countless friends, former staffers, and admirers. Oklahoma has lost one of its favorite sons, most distinguished public servants and ardent champions.”
Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order directing all flags to be flown at half-staff through the end of the week in Watkins’ honor.
“His life is one marked by public service,” Stitt wrote. “During his life, Watkins tirelessly advocated for rural development and economic growth which profoundly impacted the lives of countless Oklahomans.”
State House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) said he met Watkins when graduating from OSU, and the two bonded over their love of FFA.
“Being an FFA state officer changed the trajectory of my life, and I know FFA had a similar impact on Congressman Watkins. I remember speaking with him on the day of my graduation from Oklahoma State University and he shared how important ag teachers were in his run for Congress,” Hilbert wrote. “He had a heart for students and spent his life making Oklahoma better and we are grateful for his service — his legacy will live on long beyond his life while he was with us.”
House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson (D-OKC) sent her condolences to Watkins’ family in a statement Wednedsay evening.
“He served Oklahoma well and cared deeply about creating access to education for Oklahomans and opportunities for our universities,” she wrote. “He was a great example of public service to our state and worked to leave Oklahoma better than he found it. He will be greatly missed.”
Representing his beloved alma mater, OSU interim President Jim Hess and Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents Chairperson Jimmy Harrel acknowledged Watkins’ contributions to the university.
“The Cowboy family lost a leader and friend today with the passing of Wes Watkins. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time. He left an indelible mark on this university, his alma mater, through his generosity and vision for economic prosperity for Oklahoma businesses and students,” Hess said.
Harrel said Oklahoma was better for Watkins calling the state home.
“As a lifelong supporter of OSU, he remained deeply engaged with the university, earning induction into the OSU Hall of Fame and serving as a fixture in the Sea of Orange Homecoming Parade for decades,” Harrel wrote. “We are thankful for his legacy of service to OSU and the state.”
Public visitation for Watkins will be held Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at Strode Funeral Home in Stillwater. Watkins’ memorial service will be held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade Development.
(Update: This story was updated at 1:14 p.m. Friday, March 28, to include statements from state leaders and memorial service information.)
