James proudly served in the US Air Force as a flight engineer and retired after 20 years as a technical sergeant. After retirement, he began his second career working for Remington Arms and worked there for well over 20 years. Like the rest of the men in the Watkins family, he was blessed with an “engineering mind”: by simply looking at the mechanics of a machine he could easily repair or rebuild them without much thought. And if he couldn’t fix or build it on his own, he’d head over to the local library and figure it out.
James is preceded in death by his parents Maggie and John Watkin; wives: Wilma Jean Wise and Judy Daniels Watkins; sisters: Maggie Lee Watkins and Della Mae Springs; and step-grandson, Jake Morris.
He is survived by his son: Michael Lee Watkins; daughter-in-law: Scharain Watkins; step-daughter: Sandy Morris; his long-time companion: Mary Case; and brothers: John Thomas Watkins and Robert Charles Watkins.
A Memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 9:30 with a memorial service immediately following at 10 AM, both held at Pinecrest Funeral Home (7401 HWY 5 North, Alexander, AR, 72002). Burial will occur at 1:15 PM on the same day, at Hamilton Cemetery, 4410-4492 County Road 954 Carlisle Arkansas 72024.
