John A. Watkins

John A. Watkins, 65, of 2505 Glen Eden Drive, Raleigh, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and owner of MRP, Corp., died peacefully at Rex Hospital on November 12, 2005 from prostate cancer. Born in Washington, DC, November 25, 1939, John's life was centered around the military. His father was Post Engineer at Ft. Myer, VA and older brothers Billy and Charles served as pilots in WWII -- Billy losing his life in battle. John was predeceased by his father, Rafe Arden Watkins, mother, Lillian Googe Watkins, and sister, Lahoma Bowers.
After two years of College at the University of Mississippi, John joined the Army and graduated from OfficersCandidate School as a Second Lieutenant, but continued his education through the University of Maryland earning a BA Degree and then a Masters from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia in 1972.
John met his great love inWashington, DC and married Alice in 1961. Their military life began at Ft. Meade, MD taking them to Germany for 3 1/2 years, across the United States and around the world. John's attendance at the Monterey California Language School prepared him as anadvisor to the South Vietnamese Army. He returned to assignments at the Presidio of San Francisco in California, Aberdeen Proving Grounds and final assignment as a Logistician at the Pentagon, where his work is still being used by the Army today. He retired in 1979.
John's leadership skills in the military and in the communities in which he and Alice lived brought manyawards and recognition. Military honors include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Campaign Medals from the Republic of Vietnam and Republic of South Korea. Additional accomplishments include youngest Army captain in 1964, graduate of Armed ForcesStaff College and numerous other military courses and schools, for outstanding service in the military and in civic organizations - JC of the year, VP of the Darden School of Business, Class of 1972, president of the Bel Air, MD Jaycees and a key to the City of Bel Air, MD.
Recent travels took John and Alice to Europe, South America across the United States and around the globe. Many of these travels were with best friends Rita and Ashok Bhan.
After retirement, John formed MRP, Corporation, a marketing research company where he brought his sons Brett and John, Jr. into the business -- John, Jr, remaining with MRP and Brett merging the focus group portion of the business to become L&E Research of Raleigh.
John adopted Raleigh and Raleigh adopted John. He was an avid supporter of Alice's work in downtown Raleigh and as the ED of the Eastern NC Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association -- always there to do what was necessary. John's development of numerous projects for the Cityof Raleigh and as the creator of the Great Raleigh Acorn, sculpted by David Benson and raised each New Year as part of First Night Raleigh, is a living legacy for future generations. His historical photos and works will be donated to the Raleigh City Museum.
The Family will greet friends Wednesday, November 16 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Homes, located at 300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The funeral will be held Friday, November 18 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of Morgan and Salisbury Streets in downtown Raleigh with a military interment at Oakwood Cemetery. Rev. Bob Inskeep, Associate Minister of First Presbyterian, will officiate.
John is survived by his wife, Alice Wood Watkins of Raleigh; sons, John Arden, Jr. and wife, Kathy, Brett Alan and wife, Belinda of Cary, NC; sister, Dorothy Banks and husband,Dan of Florida, Charles and wife, Chris of NY and France, eight nieces and nephews; loving in-laws, MRP employees and many friends in Raleigh and worldwide. He would want special recognition given to his loving friends at his Fairview Methodist Church group who added tremendous quality to his life.
In lieu of flowers Alice, John and Brett request that John be remembered through contributions made to the Raleigh City Museum at 240 Fayetteville Street Mall, Raleigh, NC 27601. Memorials shouldbe designated for the "Raleigh Acorn Legacy Fund".
Tributes may be may at www.brownwynne.com