Dustin Watkins RIP
(1976-2015)
I received some very sad (if not altogether unexpected) news the other day, that we lost a dear member of our Kammerflage family and a friend of the chameleon community. Dustin Watkins had suffered for many years with a variety of debilitating health issues and was on the heart transplant list at the time of his passing. His mom, Sherry Jackson delivered the sad news and asked if I would let the chameleon community know about her son’s death.
Dustin became our customer over 10 years ago, when he purchased the first of several panther chameleons from us. To his great joy he was eventually able to achieve his dream of breeding panther chameleons. He shared the news with such enthusiasm; it made me feel very privileged to have been some part of it. He later established West Texas Chams as a vehicle to offer his babies and his boundless enthusiasm for the creatures he loved so much. He was highly intelligent and passionate about the creatures he cared for. Over the years I enjoyed many conversations with him, primarily about chameleons but sometimes we ventured into the “forbidden topics” of politics and faith. A tribute to friendship is the ability to honestly disagree about some important things but care not one bit less about one another. Despite his many physical issues Dustin always seemed upbeat and optimistic; I found this both admirable and convicting.
I recently received the following message from Dustin’s mom.
“Dear Mr Kammer, My name is Sherry Jackson. I am Dustin's mom. I regret to inform you, but Dustin passed away a little over a week ago due to heart complications. Though I have never seen or talked to you. I know my son loved you and your family as much as his own. He said there are very few people in this world that could have different beliefs and points of view, and still be highly respectful of one another. Thank You for your friendship with him. He once said you were his best friend and kindred spirit he never met.”
Dustin meant the world to me and all of us at Kammerflage Kreations. I know that he made many friends and acquaintances in the chameleon world as well. He leaves behind his mom and three daughters, who he loved even more than his chameleons . . . which is saying a lot. He will be missed but not forgotten.
RIP Dustin. Love Ed Kammer
