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Dan Wilkins, 68, of Plainview went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 14, 2013, in Plainview. Graveside services for Dan will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 18, in Parklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Lanny Voss officiating. Services are under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home.
Dan was born on June 18, 1944, in Plainview to E.E. and Christine Wilkins.He graduated from PLAINVIEW High School in 1963 He married Debbi Belk on August 6, 1988, in Canyon.
He is survived by his wife Debbi Wilkins of Plainview; two sons, Dan Wilkins, Jr. and wife Rachael of Aubrey, and Paul Wilkins and wife Lori of Lubbock; two step-daughters, Shonda Tomsu and husband Toby of Plainview and Brandi Barnett and husband Jeff of Plainview; one brother, Harold Wilkins of Gilmer; one sister, Joan Fore of Plainview; 10 Grand-children, Lance, Westin, Shelby and Ryan Wilkins, Caitlin, Jaxon and Jett Tomsu and Brooklyn, Brody and Brax Barnett; and father and mother-in-law, Loyd and Bette Belk.
Dan lived in Plainview for most of his life. He served in the Army directly after high school and after discharge he farmed southeast of Plainview for several years. Later he operated a marina on the Texas coast for some time, and sold insurance and real estate in the Plainview area. At the time of his death, he owned and operated a furniture and antique store in downtown Plainview. Dan had a great talent for re-finishing furniture and was at his happiest while in his store. Dan cherished his family, and was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather, son and friend. His love and friendship, his wonderful sense of humor, and his beautiful workmanship will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by both parents and one sister, Wanda Harris.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Amarillo VA Health Care System, 6010 West Amarillo Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106.
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Edward Paul
Dan and I were cousins on my mother's side. For a time in the mid-50's my stepdad worked for Dan's dad and my family lived on the Wilkins farm so I was a playmate and workmate of Dan and his brother and two sisters. I still shudder at recalling the long hours of chopping cotton and wrestling hay bales during the hot summers. On the good side we also had a lot of fun in a Tom Sawyerish kind of way. Dan and I were competitive in the games we played including extreme bicycle racing. He won every single race even when we switched bicycles. After my family moved from the farm into Plainview our contact decreased to primarily school hours as both of us got busier with other things. After my graduation in '62 I didn't see him again until 1976 at my mother's funeral when he graciously served as a pall bearer. Unfortunately we lost contact again. I'll always remember him.