Hi papa,
   Eventhough life does go on, you are still missed just as much. In just a few months Drew and my son will be here and I can't help but wonder if God has shared with you all the special things about your great-grandson...I know you will be his guardian angel and that makes this time even more special. I love you so much, Papa!!
Love always, Heather

Wow Dad, Laurie just made me cry with that message.  It doesn't seem like a year has past since you left.  More like last week.  Our house is so different with you gone.  I often sit in your big chair and look around at your things hoping to feel you near me.  I love my daddy and miss you sooo much.  Mom's fine, I am over the house several times a day.  Just need to play scrabble with her more.  Love and miss you Dad, Love Lisa

Hi Dad, Time has gone by so fast and it has been alittle over a year since we said good-by to you. Even though it seems like yesterday that we just talked and shared some laughs. I can still hear your voice. This Sunday Mom, Lisa and the family along with friends will be at my place for a baby shower for your oldest granddaughter Heather. It will be a special day and I wish you could hold your great-grandson after he is born, but I know you will be shining down on us with your love from Heaven. You are so loved and thought of so much..I love you very much Dad. Mom sends her love too.

Merry Christmas Dad, The house just wasn't the same without you there for Christmas, we didn't have you to sit at the head of the table for dinner, but you were still with us.  It's been quite the busy month, and I thought of you alot on your birthday December 21st. Wish I could of given you a birthday kiss and a big hug. I think of you soooo much and will love you forever my precious daddy.

It's Christmas Eve Day Dad.  I'
m going to stay with mom today. Mary and Cliff are stopping by for a quick visit. Been a long time since we've seen them. Our first Christmas without you and it'll be a very different one at that. Love you daddy

Happy Thanksgiving Dad.  Our first without you here.  It just isn't the same.  Miss you Daddy.

Dad I hope you saw Shayne for his birthday. Big 16 for your first grandson. Miss you daddy

Hi Dad,  Today makes 6 months since you left.  Mom went out with the girls from D-land tonight.  Amberly and I surprised them down at the pizza place.  Dad, wish you could come back, one more day.  My sweet daddy, I love you so much...Your baby, Lisa

Wow, how did I forget about writing in here Dad?  We had gone up to June Lake for the holiday weekend and then stayed till Tuesday. Amberly and I went down to your grave on Sunday and brought you and the Grandmas' roses.  Also put another small flag in between you and Sadies' headstone. I finished your book on your Army division, now moms' reading it. Wish I could have one more day with you dad. Our house is so different.  It doesn't seem like home.  I love you dad.  Sending a big hug & kiss your way. Me

Hi dad, This is your wedding anniversay month and I wish I could of told you and mom on September 5, 12,"Happy 59th Anniversary". This was always a busy month with birthday's and your big day with mom.  We are taking care of mom but we all miss you so much. I think of you often and always will. Mom and Lisa send a big kiss and so do I.  I Love you bunches dad.

Miss you Dad.  So very much! Love you, Lisa

Dad, I wish you could come back but without your pain.  We haven't played mom as much Scrabble as we should. Guess we'll have to step it up, but you know she's good. Miss you dad.

To Jim's sweet family.  I received a message telling me new messages had been posted on Jim's Guest Book.  After reading your messages Laurie and Lisa I was so touched I wanted you to know how very moved I was to read all of your messages to your dad.  He and your mom have always held a special spot in my heart and I miss your dad and mom too as I don't see her often.  I must change that!  I see it's her birthday so I will call her.  Thank you for showing such love to your dad.  Becky Morris (a retiree from Disneyland)

Hi dad, I agree with Lisa, WOW we can still leave you a message. I love you and miss you so much and I always will. I ask Jesus every night to give you a hug for me and someday I will give you my own hug. Today is mom's birthday and we are going to celebrate tonight, wish you were here..time has gone so fast but you are always in our hearts and thoughts.  I Love you dad..

your daughter

Wow, this is still here.  My dear sweet dad, my heart is still so heavy. Miss u today as much as then. I miss u so much. Love u more even today, your daughter

What love after 58 years of marriage should like...May I be given the same opportunity to love Drew as well and as long as you loved Grandma.

Papa,
It's interesting how some say it get's easier with time...I think it gets harder, because we will no longer have YOU around...No more hearing you tell the same war stories and getting frusturated because you can't get the words out. No more "pretend" bickering with grandma, no more hearing you say, "It's good to be seen". I'll never forget the piece of advice you often told me, "trust, but don't be a fool about it." Everytime i'd leave you, you would smile, kiss my hand, and say, "Take good care doll, take good care." "papa's" are some of the most precious gifts you can have and I am thankful that I got to have you for 30 years. A week before you passed when I came to visit you with Meagan you had us pull the shades back. As you gazed outside you said very peacefully, "The sun is beautiful". I later wondered if you being near the end of your life got a glimpse of the "Son" Christ...I rest in that, knowing Christ's work is complete in you and you are amongst God Almighty and many loved ones. You papa, are my guardian angel.
I miss you more with each passing day and I cherish EVERY bit of time we had together.
All my love, your grandaughter,
Heather

Jim, every time I think of you, I wonder how you are doing in Heaven.  I know you are in the loving arms of Jesus, but I also know that you are rejoicing at your family and friend reunions.  You are at true peace.  I'll never forget the time when you were warning Laurie & I about driving on the L.A. freeways before we took our trip to Placerville.  You told us not to drive too close to the big rigs or that they would "suck us up" under their rigs!  Oh, man, did we ever have fun on that trip warning each other not to get too close to the trucks.  What a hoot!  I love you and miss you, but I also know I'll see you again someday.  Maybe then you can teach me how to dance to the Big Band sound.  Love you...Diane H.

Hello again Dad, you can see how much we miss you.  The crying hasn't stopped for you and never will.  I miss you so much.  I find myself wondering who you've met, what other family members that you had never met before and what they're like.  Is it someone who I told you about in our family tree.  For you I know it won't be long till we see you again. We miss you so much, and like I told you before, we are taking care of Mom. Love you so much, Your baby, Lisa

 Dear My Papa,
Words cant describe how much I deeply love you.You were and will always be the strong and loving man in my life. Your heroic legacy . And just Your love and commitment to your loving wife and family.I know now I want my husband to reflect your character. To make me feel as loved,valued, and secure as you did. You have an irreplacable place in my heart. Your with me everywhere I go. I feel you in the sun, in the rain. In all the good things in my life.I pray to see you in paradise. While your in the arms of our loving savior. I love you forever my Papa.
Your grandaughter
Meagan fussell

Hi Dad, I miss you so much and think of you everyday.  I do have the peace that you are in heaven with Jesus in the beautiful eternal paradise. It is still hard to believe I can't go by the house and visit with you anymore or hear you say, "It's about time" when I stop by before going to work in the morning and leave Coco with you as your daily companion. But I will give you a big hug and a kiss someday, my wonderful father who will always be truly loved and missed deeply.  I love you forever...

Your daughter,
Laurie

My dear amazing father, I thank the Lord I was blessed to have you for my dad. I couldn't ask for a more wonderful loving man in my life. You will always be in my heart but you are now with our loving Savior and for that I am happy and blessed.  Thank you Dad for all the happy memories, I will love you forever and see you some day again..   

                                                   Your daughter,
                                                            
                                                                      Laurie Fussell (Watkins)

Miss you dad, your room is is so quiet at the house. I think we'll have to put some of your records on just to make the house feel normal. I know we will see you again.  Have you seen Glenn Miller play yet? Love you Dad

We are thinking of you as you go thru this. It sounds as though Heaven will be dancing the night away. We love you

To My Aunt Gladys and all the cousins, 
Though we are miles away know that we are there in prayers, spirit & love. 
My dad (Jims lil bro AT) has always been so proud of his big brother "Deacon". It was always a highlight for my dad when his work travel took him thru SoCal so he could steal away sometime to be with his brother. In my dads retirement he always looked forward to their phone conversations to swap jokes and old war stories. 
I am blessed that I had the ability to take my dad & Uncle Jim on some vacations so they could spend time just hanging out together. 
I always remember Uncle Jim as a quite unassuming man, not until I was older did I realize the significance of his heroism and service to our country. But as a younger person I thought the coolest thing he did was besecurity at my favorite place, Disneyland. 
Although with age and life I wasn't able to make it down to SoCal I still had a big spot in my heart for my Uncle Jim. 
I know Grandma Foley, Grandpa Todd, Uncle Bugs & Uncle Don where all waiting at the gates to welcome him home an start the party. He's walking tall and straight at home in Paradise.

Jim will always be very special to us, as a friend, and a patriot for our country.  We feel blessed to have known him for many years.  Gladie, we're here if you need us.
John and Dona Thompson

Dear Gladys, Glen, David, Laurie, and my dear girlie Lisa:
When I think of Jim I see a strong tall handsome mustached man, in a pair of cowboy boots, a bolero tie and turquoise. In my childs mind I thought he looked like a movie star. Although I hadnt seen him for a number of yrs, until recently he still was that same handsome man only now with silver hair.  My Grandma always thought he and the whole family were something special. My favorite story of my Grandma's was when Jim had come home from the war and they had a hero's welcome, taking out all the furniture out of the house putting sawdust on the floors and dancing from friday thru Sunday. I know my Grandma and Aunt Dot where there in heaven with a hero's welcome and Im sure that they are still dancing in celebration of Jim's "returning home" can't wait until the day Im gonna get to join in on one of those Gillingwater/Watson dance-athons! I love you Gladys you are such a wonderful and kind person. Your and yours are in my prayers now and always.

Dear Gladys and family.  Doyle and I send our deepest sympathy to you all.  Jim was such a dear man.  A real gentleman from "the old school".  We enjoyed seeing him at the Golden Ears meetings, the potlucks and we too enjoyed his music at those potlucks.  He will be missed greatly.  We are so blessed to have been a small part of the dash of his life.  He is now in heaven with our Lord.  Love you Gladys.  Becky & Doyle Morris

My Sweet Dad, I'm so blessed that you and I could share family stories together, pictures of days gone by, and being able to take you to places that ment so much to you.  Sharing new family members that I found on Ancestry and even finding your WWII buddy Andy Kalnicky 65 years later.  We will take care of mom for you, and I guess I'll even play her some Scrabble. My dear dad, I know your with your mom and granddad. I bet Aunt Loyce has already moved the furniture out of the way and is ready to dance. I know I'll see you soon.  I love you so much dad and I'm missing you already. My heart aches so much dad. PS... Say hello to the real Jim Watkins for me. Love you daddy

Thank you, Jim, for being my dad here on earth.  My life is enriched for just knowing you.  I'll be thinking of you every time I hear the Big Band sound.  I hope you're dancing up there with your friends and family.  Stephen & I will miss you very much.

Dear Laurie and Watkins Family:  While it is difficult today to see beyond your sorrow, may looking back in memories help comfort you tomorrow.

OBITUARY

James Leroy Watkins

December 21, 1925 – March 26, 2012

Dimond & Shannon Mortuary

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