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JAMES WATKINS Obituary
Adm. JAMES D. WATKINS (Retired)
Retired Admiral James D. Watkins passed away in his home in Alexandria, Virginia on Thursday, July 26, 2012. Friends may call The Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 where the family will be present on Thursday, August 2 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday August 3 at 11 a.m. at the Crypt Church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20017. Interment with Full Military Honors will take place at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, September 26 at 12:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton,339 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727-9297 USA or Inova Heart Vascular Institute/Inova Health SystemFoundation, 8110 Gatehouse Road, Falls Church, VA 22042.
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Memories and Condolences
for JAMES WATKINS
Shane Fernando
August 10, 2012
To the Watkins family: My thoughts and prayers are with you all and your parents. The Admiral and Sheila were incredible people who touched the world in so many positive ways. May God bless you and keep you.
Irene Briggs
August 5, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Karl King
August 5, 2012
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
August 3, 2012
To all the Watkins children- Your Dad was an amazing man who I will always renember fondly from visits in Pasadena with my mom and dad.We shared so many laughs over the years in Pasadena with both James and your mom .Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.Love from Lindsay Morse Bennett
Joe Kelly
August 2, 2012
Dear Laura Jo and siblings: My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Both your parents were delightful people and it was my pleasure to get to know them however briefly. Take comfort in knowing that they did God's most important work: instilling a foundation of love, justice and compassion in all their beautiful children, thereby making the world a better place. They will always be there for you. Much love, JK
Thomas Snee
August 2, 2012
Our deepest sympathy to the Watkins Family. I was a young Chief Petty Officer when I first met the Admiral, and followed him through his tour at BUPERS, and then finally as CNO. He was a very compassionate man, lived to his Catholic Faith, and never lost his ideals as an outstanding Naval Officer and man. God Bless him for his work, and know he is at peace, and probably heading up another position up there. NCCM(SW) Thomas J. and Karen Snee, Burke, VA
August 2, 2012
Your devotion to improving the education of our young people has made the difference in the lives of many thousands. The National Science Bowl and the National Ocean Sciences Bowl are just two of your legacies. You never let the artificial boundaries of your official positions stop you from doing what you felt was right.
Richard E. Stephens (Albuquerque, NM)
Joan Robinson-Greene
August 2, 2012
We were very sad to hear about your father. Even though we did not know him, your life we believe is an example of him. Our Family will continue to pray for you and your family
Don Leichtweis
August 1, 2012
As both a shipmate and the Executive Officer of USS Long Beach (CGN-9) in the late 60s your leadership had a profound and positive impact on my life. I will be forever in your debt. May you rest in peace!
Donald and Susan Dvornik
July 31, 2012
Dear Family of Admiral Watkins,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this tme of sorrow. We have wonderful memories to treasure of our time with him when he was CINCPACFLT and through his successful CNO years. Being his PAO was always an adventure in learning. We have lost a true leader.
William Clark
July 31, 2012
The true Easter has now come for Admiral Watkins. As St Augustine said, "For we are Easter people and Alleluia is our song." My prayers are with you James, Jr. and your family.
CD Monroe
July 31, 2012
Thank you Secretary Watkins for what you did for the Department and for the country. Your leadership on AIDS and in addressing this nation's nuclear legacy will not be forgotten. Rest in peace.
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Demaine Funeral Home - Alexandria520 South Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
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