Jerry West Watkins

Jerry West Watkins, age 83, passed from this life at UAMS Hospital in Little Rock, on February 3, 2015. Known for his swift and brilliant legal mind, generosity to his community, and love for his family – namely, his "true love," Jill Watkins – he will be truly, deeply missed by all who knew him. On December 10, 1931, Jerry was born to Daisy West and Terrell "Clark" Watkins. Born on his parents' 14th wedding anniversary, Jerry was a romantic at heart his entire life. When he was six months old, he and his parents moved to El Dorado, which became his lifetime hometown. Growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, Jerry developed the realistic and industrious attitude he became both professionally and personally known for later in life. High school class president and commencement speaker, Jerry made quite an impression on those who knew him at a young age – though he was young, people were already beginning to see his ambition and intelligence. He attended college, after graduating from high school early, at Hendrix College and Louisiana Tech, and attended law school at the University of Arkansas. Working, attending law school, and remaining the entire time at the top of his class, his professors saw his potential – upon an early graduation at the age of 22, they selected Jerry for a coveted position for the Arkansas Supreme Court Justice George Rose Smith. On December 10th, 1954, his 23rd birthday, Jerry and Jill met at the Robinson Auditorium in Little Rock on a blind date, and the two were inseparable ever since. On September 3, 1955, they were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. His love story with Jill is one people will not soon forget. It was one of honest and true love, and its depth touched many lives. Jerry joined Murphy Oil in 1955, first as a Landman, researching title and ownership, as well as negotiating leases. In 1957, Jack O'Connor asked him to join his staff as a corporate lawyer. He was quickly promoted to Corporate Secretary and General Counsel. In 1976, he was elected to the Board of Directors and named Vice President of Murphy Oil Corporation, while continuing in his role as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. He was promoted to Executive Vice President in 1988. Eighteen months later, he was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Drilling & Exploration Company (ODECO), a publicly traded company and a majority owned subsidiary of Murphy, headquartered in New Orleans. Jerry and Jill relocated to New Orleans in 1989 while maintaining their home in El Dorado. He and Jill moved back to El Dorado in 1991 where he served the rest of his career as Executive Vice President for Murphy Oil Corporation. Jerry retired in January 1993, after 37 years of service. There have been many stories about his sharp intellect and business prowess, particularly those regarding his well-known ability to lull his opposition, including New York City attorneys and Japanese negotiators, into a false sense of security with his distinct slow, southern drawl. Afterwards, they all would leave meetings only to find the South Arkansas attorney was the one firmly holding the upper hand. He will remain a legend in his field. Fittingly, Jerry summed up his meaningful life best himself in his high school graduation speech: "Soon we, too, must fly on our own. How far and how high will we fly? Will we be content to fly close to the ground and near the beaten path, or will we soar up and over the horizon in search of a better world? The answer, of course, depends on us. May God help us set our goals high and give us the strength and determination to achieve them." As he did in life, Jerry will continue to provide encouragement for his family and friends, leaving behind many great anecdotes and words of wisdom. He served on the boards of First Financial Savings & Loan Association, Simmons First National Corporation (formerly NBC), the Arkansas Board of Law Examiners, Arkansas State University, Barton Library, the Murphy Foundation, Medical Center of South Arkansas, and Warner Brown Hospital. He served as a consultant to the corporate board of Simmons First after his retirement from the Board of Directors. He also served as a long-time member of many professional organizations, including the Arkansas Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Petroleum Institute, and the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce. He was an integral part of the growth of the South Arkansas Arts Center, and conducted pro bono work for the Murphy Foundation, SAAC, SAAC Lunch, Warner Brown Hospital, and the Hendrix Murphy and Tulane Murphy Foundations. He also was very active in the First Presbyterian Church of El Dorado. He twice served as an Elder on Session, twice as a Trustee of the church, served on the Endowment and Finance Committees, taught Sunday school, and sang in the choir for most of his adult life. In addition to his professional accolades, Jerry had an extensive list of interests and hobbies that he pursued with great passion. A life-long hunter, Jerry was a member of the Boggy Bayou Duck Club that he shared with some of his closest friends and business partners. Additionally, Jerry was a skilled carpenter, building countless pieces including a beautiful gazebo and large deck that still grace the back yard. Jerry was also an avid traveler, making trips all across the globe. Some of this was in the service of his job, spending months in London and Japan. But his most precious trips were those he took with his family, from the numerous trips across Europe, from the British Isles to the Czech Republic, to the ones closer to home, including journeys to Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, and most every state in the Union. Jerry is predeceased by his parents, Daisy and Clark Watkins of El Dorado; his brother, Clark Watkins Jr.; his son, Jay West Watkins of El Dorado; and his daughter, Julie Elizabeth Watkins of Fayetteville. He is survived by his wife, Jill Cole Watkins; his daughter and her husband, Jennifer Wilson-Harvey and Jack Harvey of Little Rock; his brother-in-law, Daniel G. Carragher II of San Antonio, Texas; his grandson, Robert M. Wilson, III of Little Rock; his granddaughter, Jillian Herrick Wilson of Little Rock; and his nieces and nephews: David Watkins, Steven Watkins, Kenneth Watkins, Edward M. Cole, Erin Tamplet, and Jacklyn Dale. The visitation will be held from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, February 6th at Young's Funeral Home in El Dorado. The service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 7th at First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado. Reception will follow at the church. Please make any memorials to First Presbyterian Church. An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.