Tragic Death of a Dallas Real Estate Agent
Introduction to the Incident
A Dallas real estate agent who sold multimillion-dollar ranches was killed by a Cape buffalo on a hunting trip in South Africa on Sunday, friends and colleagues told The Dallas Morning News.
Asher Watkins, the 52-year-old managing partner of Dallas-based real estate firm Watkins Ranch Group, was on an organized big-game hunting trip with Coenraad Vermaak Safaris when he was fatally gored.
Watkins was tracking the buffalo in South Africa’s Limpopo province when the creature fatally injured him in a “sudden and unprovoked attack,” a representative of Coenraad Vermaak Safaris told The Daily Mail.
Attempts to contact the company before publication were not returned.
D-FW Real Estate News
Reaction to the Tragic Death
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA,” Hunter Hans Vermaak of CV Safaris told the outlet. “We are doing everything we can to support the family members who are here with us and those back in the United States as they navigate this tragic loss.”
Watkins was raised in Dallas and worked on his family’s hunting and cattle ranch growing up.
His firm, Watkins Ranch Group, is an affiliate of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty and LIV Sotheby’s International Realty. The firm sold ranch properties in multiple states priced as high as $46 million, according to the group’s website.
Asher Watkins’ Background and Interests
Watkins’ online biography and social media accounts highlight his affinity for hunting and fishing. He was actively involved in Ducks Unlimited, the Dallas Safari Club and the American Association of Professional Landmen. Watkins attended Baylor University.
Attempts to contact Watkins Ranch Group were not returned before publication.
Tributes from Friends and Colleagues
Tyler Thomas, founder of the TT Ranch Group, worked with Watkins under the Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty banner. He said he knew Watkins for just under a decade.
Thomas said Watkins was a loving father and a Texan to his core. The real estate agent and big-game hunter loved his cowboy hat and boots. He enjoyed Texas barbecue and often flashed a big smile.
“Asher had a gregarious personality,” Thomas said. “He never met a stranger. He was not shy, and he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind — which I respected. He was a loyal friend. That’s Asher in a nutshell.”
Will Beuck, a partner at Watkins Ranch Group, had known Watkins since the pair were students at Highland Park High School. Watkins was close friends with the Beuck family.
The pair reconnected roughly a decade ago when Beuck entered the real estate business. Beuck said he considered Watkins as a brother and close friend.
Beneath the rough-and-tumble cowboy exterior, Watkins was a loving and loyal friend, Beuck said.
The pair travelled to Colorado, where the firm sold ranch properties. Beuck and Watkins also spent time together at Watkins’ property in Arkansas where they gathered around the campfire, hunted and fished.
Aftermath and Memorial Plans
Watkins’ family informed Beuck of his friend’s death on Sunday. The family is still in the process of returning his remains to the United States. No memorial service has been set for Watkins yet, Beuck said.
“(Watkins) was bigger than life. He was a jokester. He was always looking to have a good time,” Beuck said. “He had as big of a heart as the cowboy hat on his head.”
Conclusion
The tragic death of Asher Watkins has sent shockwaves through the real estate community and beyond. His friends and colleagues remember him as a loving father, a loyal friend, and a true Texan at heart. As the news of his passing continues to spread, those who knew him will undoubtedly miss his gregarious personality and generous spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened to Asher Watkins?
A: Asher Watkins, a 52-year-old real estate agent from Dallas, was killed by a Cape buffalo on a hunting trip in South Africa.
Q: Where was Asher Watkins from?
A: Asher Watkins was from Dallas, Texas, and was the managing partner of Watkins Ranch Group.
Q: What was Asher Watkins’ background?
A: Asher Watkins was raised in Dallas and worked on his family’s hunting and cattle ranch growing up. He attended Baylor University and was involved in various organizations related to hunting and land management.
Q: How are people reacting to Asher Watkins’ death?
A: Friends and colleagues of Asher Watkins are remembering him as a loving father, a loyal friend, and a true Texan at heart. They are sharing stories and tributes to his memory, highlighting his generous spirit and gregarious personality.
