John M. Watkins

John Montford Watkins, 85, of Falls Church, Virginia, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2016. John was born in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, was raised in Arlington, Virginia, and resided in Falls Church, Virginia for over 50 years. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Doris Corbin Watkins. John is also survived by a son, John (Jay) M. Watkins, Jr., of Gainesville, Florida, (daughter-in-law, Natalie McLain Watkins), and daughter Anne M. (Watkins) Walker of Springfield, Virginia, (son-in-law Jay C. Walker). He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Karen E. Watkins. John was the proud grandfather of Joshua Walker, Emily Walker Dugan (Nick Dugan) and Jacob Watkins. He was the son of the late Clarence M. and Ruth J. Watkins of Arlington, VA. He was preceded in death by his brother Marion Eugene Watkins, and sisters Joan Delores (Watkins) Chaires and Barbara Sue (Watkins) Huffman.

John attended the University of Virginia and then joined the U.S. Army in 1952. After active duty, John continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve for more than 20 years and retired as a Major. John was a career banker, later working for the RTC and retired from the FDIC in 1998. During his retirement, John worked part-time for Virginia CLE. John was a wonderful and supportive husband, father, grandfather, son and brother. John was an avid sports fan and loved cheering for any event that involved his beloved UVA. In recent years, John heroically battled cancer with a positive attitude and never gave up. Funeral services will be held on January 31, 2017, at The Old Post Chapel at Fort Myer, with burial immediately following at Arlington National Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Murphy’s Funeral Home in Falls Church, VA. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Fisher House Foundation, the Intrepid Fallen Hero's Fund or the UVA Athletic Foundation.