John Marcus Watkins

Marcus Watkins passed away peacefully on March 15, 2017 surrounded by family. Visitation will be at Rhoton Funeral Home Monday March 20th from 6pm-8pm. Funeral services will be held at Northside Baptist Church at 2000 N Denton Dr, Carrollton TX and graveside services will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Dallas at Harry Hines and Walnut Hill.

Marcus (or Papaw family called him) was born in Dallas, Texas on May 21, 1927. Marcus grew up and lived in the Dallas area. At a young age he worked in the cotton mill, but spent the majority of his life working in the Aviation business as a salesman for over 60 years where he forged thousands of relationships here in the USA and abroad. He knew no strangers and loved to tell you stories and make you feel comfortable and share a joke. He served in the Army for 2 years and traveled overseas entertaining troops playing baseball traveling places like Japan and Korea. Marcus loved baseball and played baseball during his school years and continued to play for many years. Many folks don’t know he actually tried out for the New York Yankees. When he was older, he enjoyed playing golf with business associates and often watched golf on television. He was always quick to update you on what was currently going on in baseball and who was on top in the pro golf tournaments.

Marcus married Johanna Kiemsteadt when he was 18 and they spent their lives devoted to one another until she preceded him in death in 2001. They raised two sons, and were loving parents, grandparents and great-grandparents and he was a great-great grandparent. Marcus attended church for many years at Webb Chapel Baptist Church, and then went on to attend Northside Baptist Church which was his church home when he passed.

During the last decade of his life he and Blanche enjoyed watching baseball, and she introduced him to watching NASCAR. He also enjoyed sitting on the patio at his apartment and enjoyed an occasional cigar. Marcus retired 3 different times; he didn’t enjoy sitting at home and went back to work both times and finally retired at the age of 83 in 2011. We were fortunate to enjoy doing things with him throughout his retirement time. He was in good health other than having to have bypass surgery when he was in his early 70’s. He started everyday with sit-ups and pushups until he had a stroke in 2014. This is what began his decline and he never fully regained his strength after that. At this time is when he had to be placed in the nursing facility. He and Blanche married in February 2016, and he lived out his remaining time at Brookhaven Nursing home.

Marcus was preceded in death by his first wife Johann Watkins, his brother Harold Watkins and his grandson Dale Watkins. Survivors include his wife Blanche Watkins; brother Ray Watkins and wife Betty of Farmers Branch Texas; sons Glen Watkins of Durant Oklahoma, George Watkins and wife Bessie of Carrollton Texas ; Four grandchildren Cindy Johnson and husband Chris of Rusk Texas, Brice Watkins of Durant Oklahoma, Mindy Lindquist and husband Jeremy of Carrollton Texas, Melissa Webster and husband Jacob of Carrollton Texas, 4 great grandchildren Colten Johnson, Clint Johnson, Liam Webster and Daphne Webster and 3 great-great grandchildren Reese , Kenslee and Greysen Johnson, plus many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this time. We are sad to lose him but joyous that he is no longer suffering and is finally home