Etienne "Edd" Louis Watkins

Etienne “Edd” Louis Watkins, 88, of Grants Pass, Oregon, passed away Sunday, August 19, 2018 at home surrounded by his family. Edd was born October 3, 1929 to parents Ralph “Sox” and Gladys (Blanken) Watkins. His family moved to Molalla, Oregon where he attended Dickie Prairie Elementary School and graduated from Molalla High School. Edd left Molalla after graduation but he made lifelong friends during his years there. He attended many school reunions and greatly enjoyed reminiscing with old friends.

Edd was employed as an auto mechanic throughout his life, working in Salem, Portland and Grants Pass, Oregon. His love for cars and all things mechanical began when he was young and he was a master in his field. He loved to tinker and always had projects going; sitting still was never on his to-do list. He was a fixer of all things mechanical and electrical and a woodworker as well. Generous with family and friends, he was constantly helping others with his skills and his time was always in great demand.

Edd enjoyed being outdoors and his great love was boating. In the 1950’s, he and his buddies built their first water ski's from an article in Popular Mechanics. They taught themselves how to water ski and a lifetime passion began. Summers were spent camping, boating and skiing with family and friends. Edd had endless patience with young skiers and taught many the sport, spending hours in the hot sunshine on the lakes in Oregon, going in circles with a small skier in tow. As the years went by, his pace and his boat slowed down a bit but he continued to spend time on the water and in the hot sunshine he loved.

Upon retiring, Edd left Portland for the last time and settled permanently in Grants Pass, Oregon. In his 25 years in the area, he renewed old friendships and made many lasting new ones. Edd returned to Grants Pass for the climate – the hot sunshine he loved so much. But he stayed in Grants Pass for the community, the friends and relationships that sustained him.

Edd is survived by his two children, Janet Marie Parra and Stephen Holland Watkins, his granddaughter, Ester Marie Knight, and his great-granddaughter Salem Elizabeth Knight.