Wesley Wade Watkins, a distinguished public servant, educator, and business leader, passed away on March 26, 2025, at the age of 86. Born in DeQueen, Arkansas, and raised on a small peanut and cattle farm in Bennington, Oklahoma, Wes embodied the quintessential American story of hard work, dedication, and public service.

A standout student, Wes graduated from Bennington High School in 1956 with perfect attendance, scholarship, and leadership honors. He went on to Oklahoma State University, where he earned both his Bachelor's (1960) and Master's (1961) degrees in Agricultural Education. He balanced academic excellence with extensive leadership roles, serving as president of multiple organizations including the State FFA, the OSU student body, Student Senate, Agriculture Student Council, and several prestigious organizations.

Wes's professional journey was marked by remarkable versatility and achievement. Before entering politics, he worked as a home builder and land developer in central and southern Oklahoma. In 1974, he was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate, filling an unexpired two-year term. He was elected to the U.S. Congress, replacing Speaker Carl Albert and taking office in January 1977. During his congressional career, he served on the Appropriations, Banking, Science and Technology, Ways and Means, and Budget Committees.

A political maverick, Wes ran under Democratic, Independent, and Republican banners, consistently winning the majority vote in the Third Congressional District. After an unsuccessful gubernatorial run, he founded World Export Services, Inc. in 1991 and returned to Congress in 1996. In 2003, he stepped away from political office to establish the Matthew 25:40 Mission, Inc., a 50l(c)(3) organization dedicated to community service and economic development.

Wes was a devoted family man, married for 61 years to his loving wife, Elizabeth Lou (Rogers) Watkins. Together, they raised three children and were proud and active grandparents.

He is survived by his wife Lou; daughter Martha (Watkins) Pittman and her husband Arthur Pittman, their children Bradley Pittman and Dr. Ashley Phillips Pittman, and Elizabeth (Beth) Pittman; son Wade Wesley Watkins and his partner Gena Ford, their children Emma Watkins, Gene Stejskal, and Blaine Stejskal; son-in-law Joe A. Vielma, and his daughter Rena Cheyenne (Vielma) Dollarhide and her husband Cody Dollarhide.

Wes was preceded in death by his daughter Sally (Watkins) Vielma, his parents Mary and L.V. Watkins, Sr., his brother L.V. Watkins, Jr. and sister Althea Yeats and posse family and friends.

A true public servant, dedicated family man, and lifelong learner, Wes leaves behind a legacy of leadership, integrity, and community service that will continue to inspire generations to come.

Visitation will be Saturday March 29, 2025, 5 to 7 pm at Strode Funeral Home in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Funeral service will be at the Wes Watkins Center at Oklahoma State University on March 30, 2025, at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in his memory towards the "Making Things Better" program at the Oklahoma FFA Foundation (1500 W. 7th Ave.; Stillwater, OK 74074; https://bit.ly/give_okffa) or the "Wes and Lou Watkins Matthew 25:40 Scholarship" at the OSU Foundation, 500 N. Monroe, Stillwater, OK 74074.