|
|
Richard Edgar. 'Dick' Watkins, Delicatessen Professional
- H. Richard Edgar. 'Dick' Watkins, Delicatessen Professional1911 - 1979
- W. Elsie McBrayer1916 - 1986
m. 13 Apr 1956
Facts and Events
| Name |
Richard Edgar. 'Dick' Watkins, Delicatessen Professional |
| Gender |
Male |
| Birth? |
13 Sep 1911 |
Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma |
| Marriage |
13 Apr 1956 |
Los Angeles County, Californiato Elsie McBrayer |
| Death[4] |
13 Feb 1979 |
Sun City, Riverside County, California |
| Burial[6] |
1979 |
Westminster Memorial Park, Westminster, Orange, California, United States |
About Richard E. "Dick" Watkins
Richard "Dick" Watkins was born Enid, Garfield, Oklahoma, the son of Alvah Todd Watkins (1873-1945) and his wife Margaret Jane Reel (1880-1954), born in Kansas and Missouri, respectively. In 1921, Dick's family moved from Oklahoma to Long Beach, California when he was ten years old. His father was a Dentist and practiced in Long Beach. Dick attended Woodrow Wilson High School in 1929 and later Long Beach Polytechnic, where he was listed in the 1931 Yearbook as wanting to follow in his father's footsteps and study dentisty. But Dick shortly thereafter decided to go into the grocery business and work with Cliff Jolly, a young and dynamic man that owned four markets in the Long Beach area. Dick worked in many areas of the market, but at Jolly's suggestion, he settled on the delicatessen department because it was considered to have the best future. After Jolly was killed in an automibile accident in 1931, Fitzsimmon's took over the market and Dick decided to stay on with the new owners. [Note: Fitzsimmon's was later to become supermarket chain Thriftimart]
In 1941, Dick went to work in delicatessans for Vons Grocery Co., All American Markets and some independent markets before going to work for independent supermarket Morgan Louis in 1947, a big supermarket that opened on exclusive Lido Isle in Newport Beach owned by O.A. Richard. Dick was hired over twenty-six other applicants for the position of Deli Buyer. Dick stayed at Morgan Louis until 1952, when he joined Cole's Markets, an old established Long Beach firm founded by Otha Emerson "O.E." Cole, which had five markets at the time. Cole's would grow into a 10-store chain, including a central deli-kitchen and warehouse operation where they made several different types of salads sold in their stores. Dick was responsible for the supervision and financials of Cole's Deli operation and believed the primary goal in stocking a deli case is that it should be easy to shop.
During his career, Dick Watkins was active in a local Southern California food-industry trade association, the Dairy/Deli/Bakery Council (DDBC), an organization that still exists today in 2014. For his leadership in the Deli industry, he was recognized by the Deli Council in October 1965, when he received its "Big Cheese" Award.
Dick Watkins was married twice; he re-married after the death of his first wife to Elsie McBrayer. He had three children and [at least] four grandchildren. Dick passed away on 13 February 1979 in Sun City, Riverside County, California. He will always be remembered for his dedication and support of the supermarket delicatessan industry.
Image Gallery
References
- United States. 1920 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T625).
1920 U.S. Census Population Schedule
Name: Richard E Watkins
Age: 8
Birth Year: abt 1912
Birthplace: Oklahoma
Home in 1920: Enid Ward 1, Garfield, Oklahoma
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Alva T Watkins
Father's Birthplace: Kansas
Mother's name: Margarett J Watkins
Mother's Birthplace: Missouri
Attended School: Yes
Household Members Name Age
Alva T Watkins 46
Margarett J Watkins 39
James H Watkins 20
Hazel B Watkins 19
Todd E Watkins 16
Richard E Watkins 8
Leroy E Watkins 4 [4 6/12]
- United States. 1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T626).
1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule
Name: Richard E Watkins
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1912
Birthplace: Oklahoma
Race: White
Home in 1930: Long Beach, Los Angeles, California
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Alva T Watkins
Father's Birthplace: Kansas
Mother's name: Margaret J Watkins
Mother's Birthplace: Missouri
Occupation: None
Attends School: Yes
Reads and Writes: Yes
Military service:
Rent/home value:
Age at first marriage:
Household Members: Name Age
Alva T Watkins 56
Margaret J Watkins 49
Richard E Watkins 18
Le Roy E Watkins 14
- United States. 1940 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T627).
1940 U.S. Census Population Schedule
Name: Richard E Watkins
Respondent: Yes
Age: 28
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1912
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Oklahoma
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Long Beach, Los Angeles, California
Street: Junipero Avenue
House Number: 332
Inferred Residence in 1935: San Pedro, Los Angeles, California
Residence in 1935: San Pedro, Los Angeles, California
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 12A
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 339
Occupation: Manager, Delicatessen Store
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 33
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 56
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 1820
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members: Name Age
Richard E Watkins 28
Dorothy Watkins 26
Richard Watkins 7
Gale Watkins 3
- ↑ Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees: (Note: not considered a reliable primary source).
- California. Department of Public Health. Bureau of Vital Statistics. Death Index, 1940-1997.
Name: Richard Edgar Watkins
Social Security #: 561104054
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 13 Sep 1911
Birth Place: Oklahoma
Death Date: 13 Feb 1979
Death Place: Riverside
- ↑ Find A Grave.
- Long Beach Press-Telegram (Long Beach, California)
pg. 38, 18 May 1955.
Cole's Markets Welcomes new store in Dutch Village with 4-Day Sale
[excerpt}:
Dick Watkins is in charge of the delicatessen department, and Lowell Hanna is head of the meat department. Heading the produce department is Harold Smith.
|
|
