Austin Friend Watkins III, 58 passed away peacefully on September 16, 2024. He was a long-time resident of Santa Fe, Texas and formally a resident of Galveston.  He grew up in Dickinson, Texas and went to Dickinson high school. Austin attended College of the Mainland in Texas City and later studied Ocean and Coastal Resources at Texas A&M University in Galveston.

Austin’s early career included employment as a cook and manager at various restaurants, which led to his lifetime zest for cooking and grilling gourmet meals as part of his everyday routine.  He also worked at Sherwin Williams as a manager where he got his flare for decorating and would often declare that “color was life.” Mid-career he was a field supervisor for Aqua Drill International which led him to work and live all over the world, including Australia, Vianden, and Saudia Arabia. These travels were some of the most exciting and adventuress times for him.  Later in life he worked for Builders First Source in Manvel and then as a CDL Truck Operator for Sloan Lumber Company in Santa Fe.

Austin’s passion for fishing started at an early age and was a constant throughout his life, forging friendships over the years who shared the same love for the water and the challenge in catching the “big one.”

Austin also found joy in photography, capturing the world as he saw it through the lens of the camera. His keen eye for detail allowed him to market his work in several galleries and shops in the Galveston area.

He was a dog lover and had several dogs during his life whom were his companions and confidants. Austin, with his dogs, enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and spent many days together outside enjoying his pool, barbequing, and listening to his deep appreciation of jazz, blues, and classic rock and roll.

Austin was a kind person and made others happy by building strong, meaningful connections with those around him. His kindness created a ripple effect that positively impacted all those who knew him. He was an inspiration to family and friends with his strength and positive attitude of living life one day at a time, looking for the good in every day.

Austin is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Julia Watkins. He is survived by his sister Jennifer L. Watkins of Dickinson, Texas, sister Laura E. Bowers and husband, Mark of Taylor, Texas, daughter Alexandra Marie Durant, and granddaughter Kelani Durant of Winter Garden, Florida and many cousins, relatives, and friends, and by Maxx, his beloved dog.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.