Leonard Francis Watkins

Leonard Francis Watkins was born on January 26th 1944, in Yonkers, New York, to proud parents Francis and Edith Watkins. A graduate of Morris High School, Leonard was destined for a life of greatness. With many options, Leonard fortunately chose to join the United States Air Force. While stationed in the Philippine Islands at Clark Air Base as an airman, he would meet his eternal flame, Lucita Recabar. The two would love each other endlessly. Marrying in January 1967 the couple would welcome three beautiful children into the world over the next 9 years, Timothy Craig, Melinda, and Charles. The family would eventually settle in Moreno Valley, CA at March Air Force Base, where Leonard was able to continue living his dream, as a military man. In June 1987, Leonard would retire from the Air Force after serving for 24 years at the rank of MSGT and would then embark on a new journey working for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. His favorite way to spend his time was doing what he loved most: being with family. In addition to this, over the years, Leonard enjoyed road trips with his grandchildren, travelling around the globe with his wife, embracing family and educating and connecting everyone he considered family. Over the years Leonard is credited with being a 1st Master Sergeant, a professor, a chauffeur, a videographer, a “main man”, a director, a teacher, and a rock for which his family stood.

In 2020, Leonard, still a resident of Moreno Valley, unexpectedly passed away on December 18, at the age of 76. He is survived by his loving wife, Lucita Watkins, and his three children, Timothy Craig Watkins and wife Temika, Melinda Wilcoxson and husband Jody, and Charles Watkins; his 9 grandchildren: Tiara, Sierra, Yazmin, Alexus, Jaylon, James, Justin, Julian, and Kendall, as well as five great grandchildren; his sisters, Edwina Williams and Judith Curtis; nieces and nephews: Stacie Williams, Crystal Benjamin, Keith Palmer, Ferdinand Recabar, Lusyl Recabar and Josalee Szpytman. Leonard is also survived by several other nieces, nephews, cousins, family members, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edith and Francis Watkins, sister-in-law Norma Gries, and brother-in-law Salvador Recabar.

Leonard was a man of many talents that he shared with anyone he could. A true pillar, he spent much of his time giving love to any and every person. He took pride in educating himself, inspiring and motivating others, traveling, and being one of the best to walk this earth. Leonard Watkins will always be known as a light in every life that he touched, and he will be missed tremendously by all of those he encountered.