John Watkins
Sept. 29th, 1943 to April 4th, 2008
John LeRoy Watkins, the son of Percy Francis “Slim” and Norma June (Olsen) Watkins, was born September 29, 1943 in Fort Bragg, California. He was one of three children born to this union, two sons and one daughter: John, Doug, and Rosanne. At the age of two, John and his family moved to Harlan, Kansas where he attended grade school and he graduated from Portis High School, Portis, Kansas. John continued his education at Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas and later graduated from the Electronic Computer Programming Institute of Topeka, Kansas.
On May 9, 1964 John was united in marriage to Ann Stothard, in Harlan, Kansas. The young couple established their first home together in Hays, Kansas. This union was blessed with the birth of three daughters: Michelle, Cassandra, and Paige. Through the years John and his family have lived in Hays, Glen Elder, Osage City, and McPherson.
John began his working career for the Kansas State highway Department from 1962 to 1966. He then worked for three years for Cook Construction Company, prior to moving to McPherson, Kansas in 1969 when he started working for Farmers Alliance Insurance Company as a Computer Programmer. John progressed through several positions of increasing responsibility ending as Application Programming Manager. He also served as a project leader for implementation of the Series III project. John retired on September 30, 2004, after thirty-four years with the company.
John was a faithful members of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. He was baptized on May 21, 1972 at St. Anne’s by Father Willis Neustrom. John has served his church as Treasurer and in other capacities through the years. John was also very involved in his community and was a member of the McPherson Optimist Club, McPherson Chamber of Commerce, Sons of the American Legion Post 24, McPherson Y.M.C.A. board, McPherson College Athletics Booster Club, McPherson High School Athletic Booster Club Officer, a member of Data Processing Management Association, Leadership McPherson, McPherson All Schools Day Committee and was form General Chairperson.
John was a dedicated Christian, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, co-worker, and friend. His wise counsel, gentle guidance, gracious smile and sense of humor will be missed by all those who know and loved him. He was very proud of his daughters and fiercely protective of them. John was especially fond of his grandchildren, always looking forward to their visits and times they would share together.
John L. Watkins, 64, entered eternal peace after a brave battle with cancer at 5:50 p.m., Friday, April 4th, 2008 while surrounded by the love of his family members and friends at his home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy “Slim” and Norma Watkins.
Surviving members of his family include his loving and caring wife of over 43 years, Ann Watkins of the home; his daughters, Michelle Peterson and husband Steve of Overland Park, Cassandra “Cassie” Moore and husband Jason, of McPherson, and Paige Ryan and husband Trent, of Wichita; his brother Doug Watkins and wife, Marty, of Salina, his sister, Rosanne Cole and husband, Craig, of Downs; his sister-in-law, Pat Wood of Sumter, South Carolina, Brenda Goh and husband Dave, of Malaysia, and Sheila Stewart of Smith Center; a Godson, Thomas Watts and his fiancé Kristen, of Emporia; his nine grandchildren, Max Peterson, Alexandra Peterson, Olivia Peterson, Luke Moore, Landon Moore, Laynie Moore, Tristen Ryan, Cooper Ryan, and Payton Ryan; several nieces and nephews, other relatives, many friends and his faithful canine companion, Ozzie.