- YORKTOWN - James Elwood Watkins, Jr., 80, of Yorktown, Indiana, passed away on April 7, 2013 after an extended illness. He passed away with his wife of fifty-eight years, Carol Watkins, and his son Steve, by his side.
Jim Watkins was born on November 6, 1932 in Muncie to James E. Watkins, Sr. and Margaret Ehrhardt Watkins. He attended Emerson Elementary School and graduated from Burris Laboratory School in 1950. He graduated from Culver Summer Naval School in 1950 where he served as Company Commander. He graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in Economics in 1954, having been awarded and maintained an Honor Scholarship. He was a member of the varsity swimming team and played in the Oberlin Conservatory Orchestra as well as the Oberlin marching band.
He met Carol Blair Wightman at Oberlin in 1952, and later married her on his birthday, November 6, 1954. They were married for fifty-eight years.
He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1954. He served in the Strategic Air Command as a Lead Crew Navigator until 1957. He also served in the Air Force reserve, attaining the rank of Captain, retiring in 1969.
He returned to Muncie and entered the family business, Elm Ridge Memorial Park, as Director of Operations in 1957. He retired in 1990 as President and sole owner.
He has served as President of both the Indiana Cemetery Association and the American Cemetery Association. He was instrumental in the merger of the American Cemetery Association and the National Association of Cemeteries, creating the present day International Cemetery and Funeral Association. He was awarded the American Cemetery Association Distinguished Service Award, the Industry's highest award now known as the Hall of Fame.
In 1989 he was named Sagamore of the Wabash, by Governor Evan Bayh, for services to the citizens of Indiana.
He has been an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Muncie since 1946 and has served multiple terms as both Elder and Deacon.
He has been very active over the years with many community organizations: Muncie Rotary Club, serving as President and Executive Secretary; East Central Indiana Workforce Investment Board, serving as Chairman of East Central Opportunities, Incumbent Workers Council; Muncie Chamber of Commerce, Vice-Chairman; Jaycees, President; United Way, Allocations Panel Chairman; Ball Memorial Hospital, Board of Directors; Cardinal Health System, original member Board of Directors; BMH Homecare Services, Chairman of the Board; Muncie Symphony Orchestra, Charter member in 1950, retired as bassoonist and contrabassoonist after fifty years, in 2000, personnel manager; Muncie YMCA and Muncie Athletic Club Swim Teams, coach as well as IHSAA, Ball State and MAC swim official; Delaware County Council Boy Scouts of America, Executive Board; National Railway Historical Society, Director of Hoosierland Chapter; Minnetrista Cultural Center; Muncie Club; Elks Lodge #245; American Legion.
Over the years he trained his own dogs and competed in the sport of obedience. He was very involved with many animal organizations: Muncie Obedience Training Club, Board member and Treasurer; White River Golden Retriever Club, Board member and Treasurer; 4H, Obedience judge; GRRACE (Golden Retriever Rescue and Community Education); Action For Animals, Director, Pet Therapy program.
For all of his tens of thousands of hours to countless organizations, his greatest accomplishment was that of being the consummate supportive husband and Dad. James Elwood Watkins, Jr. served every day as a model of how to love and to be of support to his family, to Muncie, to Delaware County and to the state of Indiana. He truly left the world a better place because of his calm presence and enthusiastic service.
Surviving are his wife, Carol; two sons, James Wightman Watkins of Seattle, WA, and Stephen Charles Watkins and wife Deborah of Muncie; four grandchildren, Andrew James Watkins of Seattle, Matthew Ryan Watkins, Michael Joseph Watkins, and Jennifer Ann Watkins of Muncie; sister-in- law, Barbara Wieseman of Sequim, WA; three nieces, Katherine Wieseman of Sequim, WA, Carol Wieseman of Newport News, VA and Linda Wieseman of Santa Fe, NM.
Carol would like to thank the Morrison Woods family for the thoughtful care of Jim in his final months.
A celebration of Jim's life and service to many will be held at First Presbyterian Church at a date to be communicated later.
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