- David Engle Watkins, 78, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2015 due to complications from a stroke. He had suffered from Alzheimer's disease for many years.
David was born June 16, 1937 in Kansas City, Missouri to Roland Martin Watkins and Alice Josephine Engle.
He grew up on both coasts, in Florida and California, and forever loved the ocean. He graduated in 1956 from Westport High School in Kansas City. David served in the United States Naval Reserves.
In 1957, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lee McNaughton. To this union, came nine fortunate and grateful children.
David served in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Betty were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1965.
David was charismatic, kind, and social. David loved cars and found enjoyment in road trips. His enthusiasm and passion for cars was passed to his children.
David had a strong work ethic and spent countless hours managing furniture stores to provide for his nine children. In their retirement years, he and his wife served as temple workers in the St. Louis Missouri Temple.
David leaves behind his wife of nearly fifty-nine years, nine children, Tammy Clemens (Peter), Utah; Cynthia Donnell (Andy, who passed away on January 1, 2016), South Dakota; Deborah Hensley (John), New Mexico; Michael Watkins, Utah; Matthew Watkins (Janalee), Utah; Lori Brundige (Weldon), Kansas; and Martin Watkins (Christina), Christopher Watkins (Karen), and Daniel Watkins (Sara), all of Utah; thirty-four grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren. David was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, James C. and Roland M.; and sister, Dorothy Cartwright.
Published in the Deseret News on January 9, 2016.
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