James "Jim" Richard Watkins' Obituary
James “Jim” Richard Watkins, 65, of Columbus, KS, died Friday morning, December 2,
2016 at his home following an illness.
Jim was born March 31, 1951, in Columbus, KS, the son of Richard A. and Clara Jean
(McFall) Watkins. He was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of Columbus
High School in 1969.
On November 1, 2008, Jim married Rose Moore in Columbus, KS; she survives at the
home. Jim worked as a restaurant equipment installer for Joe Harding Inc. in Joplin, MO,
for many years and was also known to be an accomplished carpenter. Jim was of the
Christian faith; loved hunting, fishing, building things, painting old saw blades and his
beloved dogs. He also was a loving caregiver for his stepdad, Ted Simkin, and mom.
Additional survivors include his children Lisa Low and husband Cecil of West Mineral,
KS, and Rick Stark and wife Sarah of Columbus, KS; granddaughter Paris Pack of Yuba
City, CA; siblings Mike Watkins and wife Lauri of Bartlesville, OK, Pat Watkins and
wife Jan Williams of Midway, GA, and Ann Banks and husband Kim of Joplin, MO, and
additional grandchildren Ariel, Caitlin, Drake, Kemper, Dalton, Kolby, Kayleigh, Beau,
Blake and Kortnie.
Jim was preceded in death by his daughter Crystal Watkins Pack and son D. J. Stark.
Memorial Services will be 10:00 am Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at the Bath-Naylor
Funeral Home in Columbus, KS, with Pastor Dennis Johnson officiating. Burial will be
at a later date at Edgmand Cemetery in Columbus, KS. In lieu of flowers the family asks
expressions of sympathy in the form of memorials to the Mercy Cancer Center Joplin,
MO. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 611 S.
East Ave. Columbus, KS 66725. E-mail condolences may be left at
www.bathnaylor.com . Arrangements are by Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Columbus,
KS.
What’s your fondest memory of James "Jim"?
What’s a lesson you learned from James "Jim"?
Share a story where James "Jim"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James "Jim" you’ll never forget.
How did James "Jim" make you smile?
