Thomas Del Watkins II (US Army Major, retired), age 79, of Fayetteville, NC died Tuesday at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, NC.

Mr. Watkins was born in Aylette, Virginia to Charles S. and Madeleine S. Watkins on October 11, 1935. He graduated from VPI in 1957 and was a member of the Cadet Corp. He is survived by his wife Barbara, three children (Kathie Watkins Stanley (Gene), Mark (Michelle), and Greg), and six grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Charles Watkins Jr., and his niece Madeleine Watkins Selby.

Major Watkins (ret.) was a veteran of the Vietnam war, serving two tours of duty as a Ranger and Special Operations team member (Civil Affairs Team Commander and later General Staff Officer), and was a career military officer. He was twice awarded the Bronze Star with V Device, the nation's fourth highest award for heroism in combat, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, and many other medals and commendations. Following his military career he was a successful entrepreneur, running his own business for decades, and was an avid student of Civil War history.

Funeral Services will be held Friday September 11th at 2PM at Jernigan Warren Funeral Home in Fayetteville. The family will receive friends following the service. Burial will be at Great Fork Baptist Church in Whaleyville, Virginia, on Saturday September 12th at 1pm.