Clayton Burns Watkins

Raleigh, NC - Clay B. Watkins, 51, passed away on Friday, July 18th at his home in Raleigh, NC surrounded by his loving family. Clay was born in Jacksonville, FL on Dec 20, 1962 to Lloyd Gray Watkins and Mildred Eleanor Burns Watkins. Clay was a graduate of Florida State University and earned his graduate degree at The University of North Florida. He moved to Cary, NC in 2000 and met his wife Donna (Friedrich) soon after. His career was spent in the logistics industry as a project manager. Clay was passionate about football and education and he believed in putting forth his best effort in all of his endeavors. Most of all, Clays greatest pleasure was in creating memories with family whether it was through travel, holidays, or just the simple moments and humor found in everyday life. He enjoyed spending time with his family doing yard work, especially planting new plants and flowers in the spring. Clays proudest moment occurred when his wife delivered their beautiful daughter Haydon Virginia Watkins in February 2009. He often said that hearing the laughter of his child was the most priceless gift of all and he never grew tired of it. He was especially thrilled when Haydon demonstrated a real passion and talent for swimming, a sport he always enjoyed. Not only did he have fun watching her experience joy for the sport, he derived great pride in the work she put into it and the results that it yielded. Clay is survived by his beloved wife Donna and daughter Haydon of the home, and his parents, Lloyd and Eleanor Watkins of Jacksonville FL. He is also survived by his brothers Wade Watkins and Lee Korey Watkins and one nephew, Nathan Watkins, all of Jacksonville, FL, father and mother-in-law Wayne and Doris Friedrich of Raleigh, brothers-in-law and their spouses, Mark and Johana Andrea Friedrich of Chapel Hill, NC and Carl and Bonnie Friedrich of Coon Rapids, MN, and by several beloved uncles, aunts and cousins. He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Richard M. and Ethel M. Watkins and his maternal grandparents, Governor Haydon Burns and Mildred C. Burns. He was also predeceased by one uncle, Richard M. Watkins, III.Special thanks are sent to the large, caring circle of medical personnel, support staff and others who tended to Clay at the beginning, during and at the end of his long journey: REX Cancer Center; the support group, “Sharing Hope” at REX; Duke Cancer Center; Transitions LifeCare (formerly Hospice of Wake County). Their genuine concern and efforts with both Clay and Donna offered him dignity and peace and the ability to remain at home with his loved ones. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 11:00am, at the Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Raleigh, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh. A reception will be held immediately following the memorial service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a tax deductible donation to either the Medullary Thyroid Cancer Research Fund via mail (ThyCa Donation, P.O. Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102) or online (ThyCa.org), or to Transitions LifeCare via mail (complete a donation form online at TransitionsLifeCare.org and mail with check to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607) or by phone (919-828-0890).Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh.