Ronald Duaine Watkins, 91, of rural Bellefontaine, passed away Friday morning, Feb. 5, 2021, at Green Hills Care Center.
Ron was born in Bellefontaine on April 18, 1929, to the late Charles T. and Venus E. (Cooksey) Watkins. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, LeVonne “Lee” Bown and Meriam “Cindy” Keenan and his brother, Charles Eugene Watkins.
Ron married the former Janet L. Herd on March 26, 1996, in Sevier County, Tennessee, and she survives in Bellefontaine. He is also survived by his son Matt (Rebecca L.) Watkins of Bellefontaine; his daughter Rhonda (Andrew Potts) Watkins of Bonita Springs, Florida; stepdaughters: Pamela J. (Charles) Hefner of West Mansfield and Rhonda L. (Quint) Moore of West Mansfield; four grandchildren: Alicia Watkins, Erica (Tim) Mills, Joshua Watkins, and Justin Watkins, eight step-grandchildren; including his best buddy Shyann Kay Hefner; eleven step-great grandchildren and one on the way; and several nieces and nephews.
A veteran of the US Navy, Ron served during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Ron worked as a heavy equipment operator for Knowlton Construction before he finally retired as the head sanitarian for the Logan County Health Department after 22 years.
In his younger years, he enjoyed playing volleyball and softball with both his kids and happily played golf well into his retirement—taking many golfing vacations with his son and friends to Myrtle Beach. Ron enjoyed the simple things like mowing the yard; watching and feeding the birds; watching old westerns; going out to dinner with his wife; sharing a cappuccino and a chat with his son; listening to barbershop music, breakfast and site seeing with his daughter; watching his granddaughter ride her horses; and helping Janet babysit their increasing number of greatgrandchildren.
Ron loved to travel and always had his maps ready to lead the way there or back to home. Singing was a treasured talent of Ron’s – whether it was in church, the car, or wherever he was, and he passed this love of music to his kids. Being blessed with a great singing voice lent itself to helping Ron be a beloved vocal supporter at all of his daughters local sporting events. If you knew Ron, you knew his sarcastic sense of humor and a common response to the question, “How are you today, Ron?” With a side grin he would respond, “I’m ornery, and you?” His life-long goal was to ensure his loved ones were happy and cared for with no worrying about himself. When faced with his own obstacles, his response was always, “well, that’s life in the big city”.
A private family graveside service will be held at a later date in Zanesfield Cemetery.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the Watkins family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.