George Wold Watkins Jr.

George Wold Watkins, Jr. was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on December 23,1937, to George Wold Watkins, Sr. and Hope Celeste Hansen. George was the oldest child born to this family, and was later joined by two younger brothers, Richard Thomas (Tom) and Dane.

George lived in Salt Lake City when he was a young boy and moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, with his parents in 1941, when his dad established the Snake River Equipment Company, an International Harvester Dealership in southeast Idaho.

George grew up in Idaho Falls and attended schools there. He met Sharon Westergard while they were in the 9th grade at O. E. Bell Jr. High. George was involved in many activities at school. He played football and was a member of the Asphalt Angels Car Club. He graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1956.

After high school, both George and Sharon moved to Salt Lake City to attend the University of Utah. George later received a full ride scholarship to attend Westminster College in Salt Lake City, where he went to school, played football, and worked at Tracy-Collins Bank. He graduated with a bachelors's degree in business in 1961.

George and Sharon were married on September 28,1956. They eventually added four children to their family, George Wold Watkins III, Michael James, Sandra Celeste and Susan Colette.

After George graduated from Westminster, he joined his dad at Snake River Equipment Company in Idaho Falls. He was the manager of the farm equipment division and excelled at sales. He was instrumental in making Snake River Equipment one of the top performing Harvester dealerships in the nation for many years. George eventually became the Vice President and General Manager of Snake River Equipment. George loved his years at Snake River Equipment and enjoyed many friendships with farmers and business associates from all over southeast Idaho.

George and Sharon were able to travel and take some wonderful trips with Harvester, winning many trips for top sales and going to conventions. They were sometimes able to take their children with them for some pleasure and fun.

In 1967, George and Sharon bought a cabin at Hebgen Lake, Montana, which was near and dear to his heart and the hearts of all of his family. Many cherished family memories have been made at the cabin; it is their little slice of heaven on earth.

George was inducted into the Rotary Club of Idaho Falls on April 1,1964, the youngest member to ever be allowed to join the club and remained in the club for almost 60 years. He served on the board of directors for Intermountain Hardware and Farm Equipment Association and was also on the board for the Eastern Idaho Agricultural Hall of Fame for many years. George was also inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Westminster University in 2013. George was involved in many other business ventures with his dad, including the Snake River Equipment Farms, the Lease Rental Corp. and Watkins McDonald Family Partnership in Boise, Idaho. After his dad's death, he formed the George & Sharon Watkins Family Partnership.

George was known for his engaging smile and gripping handshake. He worked hard and played hard. He loved water skiing, snow skiing, riding snowmobiles and four wheelers, horseback riding, fishing, and dancing. He especially loved boating in his 1963 Tolley Craft runabout wood boat.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, of 67 years;  sons, George (Peggy) Watkins of Idaho Falls, and Mike (Leslie) Watkins of Centerville, Utah; daughters, Sandra (Joe) Best of Shelley, Idaho, and Susan (John) Nordblad of California; 14 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard Thomas (Tom) and  brother- in-law, Steve Westergard.

Our family would sincerely like to thank all of the wonderful people at Aspen Home Health and Hospice and also the staff at Lily & Syringa Assisted Living for their loving and amazing care of George. We are so grateful to all of them for all they have done.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery.