James Frank Watkins, 83, of Quincy, passed away peacefully at 5:25 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at his home. He was born on November 22, 1938, in Shelby County, Ohio, a son of the late Palmer Wayne and Mildred Harriett (Randolph) Watkins. He was also preceded in death by his son, James Frank Watkins, Jr.
On July 29, 1957, Jim married Leatha C. (Kendall) Watkins in Muncie, Indiana, and she survives along with their two daughters, Sylvia Faith (Craig) Bigler and Jeanette (Michael) Turley; five grandchildren, Ronald (Kristy) Bigler, Geoffrey (Ashley) Bigler, Christina Bigler, Kevin (Brittany) Sadler, and Kyle Sadler; seven great grandchildren, Verity Bigler, Augie Bigler, Hadley Bigler, Quinn Bigler, Patrick Sadler, Liam Sadler, and Callum Sadler.
PFC James Watkins served in the U.S. Navy from January 29, 1958 to January 1, 1987, which included 20 years active duty and 10 years in active duty. His service in the Navy included; recruit training in Great Lakes, Illinois, Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VW-14), Airborne Early Warning Squadron Pacific, Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii; Naval Station San Diego, California, U.S. Naval Examining Station Great Lakes, Illinois; Presidential Ship USS North Hampton, The Guided Missiles Destroyer Semmes Norfolk, Virginia; U.S. Naval Recruiting Station Chicago, Illinois, Attack Squadron 65 at Oceana Air Station Virginia on board USS Independence, U.S. Naval Damage Control School Naval Base Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jim was a member of the American Legion Post #217, had served as mayor of Quincy from 1985 to 1999, during which time he also served as Treasurer for the Logan County Mayor’s Association for four years. He served on the Quincy Board of Public Affairs for three years and had been the Loan Branch Manager for Miami Valley Bank in Quincy.
The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at the Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, 210 W. Hayes Street in DeGraff, where Pastor Bobbi Allen will officiate a funeral service beginning at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Quincy, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to Buckeye Gospel Barn, 206 Liberty Street, P.O. Box 119, Quincy, Ohio 43343.
Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, DeGraff, is honored to serve the Watkins family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.