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1933
2018
John Newton Watkins, 84, of Porterville, California, passed away on July 9, 2018, at home. He was born on July 28, 1933, in Batesville, Arkansas, to Elisha and Bertha (Jones) Watkins.
He moved to California at the age of six, attended Strathmore schools, and graduated from Strathmore High School in 1952. John met Beverly Kirby at the Porter Theater, and they were married on August 9, 1952. They had celebrated 64 years of marriage at the time of her death.
John served four years in the United States Air Force and was a graduate of Fresno State College. He was a teacher and school administrator with Porterville Public Schools for many years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was an avid golfer and long time member of River Island Country Club. John enjoyed fishing and was a huge sports fan, especially the Dodgers and any sport his grandchildren were playing.
He is survived by daughter Pam (Paul) Bradley of Porterville; and son Doug (Karen) Watkins of Visalia. He was "Pop" to grandsons Blake (Beth) Bradley of Mt. Zion, Illinois; Shane Bradley of Newport Beach; Aric Champagne of Pleasanton; Ben Watkins of Davis; granddaughter Amy Champagne of Fresno; and great grandchildren Clare, Audrey, Jack, and Luke Bradley.
John was preceded in death by his parents; wife Beverly Kirby Watkins; sisters Vedis McMurry, Sylvia Baldridge, and Dorothy Baldridge; brother Dan Watkins; granddaughter-in-law Talia Serra Bradley; and great grandson John Bradley.
A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, July 23, 2018, at 10:00 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 764 W. Henderson Avenue, Porterville, California. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the church.
John Newton Watkins
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Sponsored by Myers Funeral Service and Crematory.
2 Entries
Thankful to have gotten to work with John; blessings!
Steve
February 27, 2024
My sincere condolences to the Watkins family and especially to Pam. RIP
Michael Brown
July 24, 2018
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results
Funeral services provided by:
Myers Funeral Service and Crematory248 North E Street, Porterville, CA 93257
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