David died of cancer on August 17, 1990

David P. Watkins

It is with great sadness that we must report the passing of our beloved friend David Watkins who passed away early on the morning of Friday, August 17, 1990 after a month long battle with cancer.

David was a founder and trustee of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association and our recording secretary from the very beginning. When the International Gay Rodeo Association was formed, David was the natural choice for Corporate Secretary and he served in the capacity for five years.

For the first couple of years David was our rodeo secretary and then, having trained others to fill that post, he became an IGRA rodeo auditor and officiated at every rodeo in division one through rodeo 90, Las Angles. Typically, until just a few days before his passing he had every intention of filling that position for the upcoming rodeo in San Diego. It's going to feel very strange without him there making sure everything is just so.

David's strength, loyalty, good humor and his unending love for his fellow man will be sadly missed. Our association and everyone who had the privilege of knowing David is the better for the experience.

To a lot of people in the IGRA David was known as Grandpa not because of his age, but because of the love and guidance he provided for a lot of people. David. We love you. We miss you. And we know you ride with us today.