Steven M. Watkins

Steven M. Watkins

Steven Michael "Steve" Watkins, 55, of King George County passed away after a brief but extremely courageous battle with lung cancer on Sunday, June 1, 2014.

Steve was a 26-plus-year employee of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren. Since 2002, he had worked as a computer scientist with the Lethality and Effectiveness branch, as the lead software developer for a number of key graphics and simulation projects. He held Masters of Science degrees in petroleum geology from Northeast Louisiana University and computer science from Mississippi State University.

Steve enjoyed fossil collecting, photography and developing his own film, racing his J24 and Laser sailboats and flying electric model airplanes and helicopters. He was even a licensed sailplane pilot during his college days. Another favorite activity was target shooting, including reloading his own ammunition. He was an avid reader of science fiction and military historical novels. Steve loved astronomy and built his own 13-inch telescope. He loved watching and keeping up with NASCAR, Indy and Formula 1 auto racing and the Washington Nationals baseball and the NFL Saints football teams. Affectionately known as "Tall, Dark and Grumpy" to his family, because his first response to anything was "NO!" he actually was a very thoughtful and generous person, who would give anything he had to whoever needed it.

Steve is survived by his wife of 32 years, Teresa Watkins; his daughter and the light of his life, Julie Watkins; mother Dolores Watkins; sister Laura Irby; brother-in-law Will Irby; nephew Michael Clark; and niece Allison Durr.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Homer W. Watkins Jr.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 13, at the Potomac River shore site of Fletcher's Chapel, near Tim's II on Pavilion Drive in Fairview Beach.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dahlgren United Methodist Church Good Samaritan Fund.

Please sign the online guest book at nashandslawfh.com.