Roger E. Watkins
April 7, 1933 – June 13, 2020
1933 - 2020
Roger Watkins, 87, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at his home in Sun City Center, Fla., surrounded by family.
He was born April 7, 1933, in Wauseon, Ohio, and had been a resident of Vermilion, Ohio, since 1957, while spending winters in Sun City Center, Fla., for the past 20 years.
Roger worked as a math teacher and school principal in the Vermilion school system from 1957 until his retirement in 1988. In addition to teaching, he coached basketball and football at Vermilion High School and served as the varsity head basketball coach from 1960 to 1964, leading his teams to a combined record of 57-21 during that time.
He was a graduate of Hiram College, where he also played football and basketball, and received two master’s degrees from (Case) Western Reserve University. He also served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss in Texas before starting his career in education.
Roger loved spending time with his family and is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sue (nee Schaffner) Watkins; daughter, Jennifer Watkins Christensen of Wilmette, Ill.; sons, Jeff (Carrie) Watkins of Chamblee, Ga. and Jay (Amy) Watkins of Brunswick, Ohio; and four grandchildren: Katie Christensen, Caroline Christensen, Ben Watkins and Sam Watkins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Orra and Florence (nee Bruner) Watkins; brothers, Don Watkins and Hal Watkins; and sisters, Rachel Loar Ellis and Joan Domeck.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no memorial service at this time. A celebration of life service will be held in Vermilion at a later date.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 13406 W. Lake Rd. Vermilion, OH 44089 or Sun City Center United Methodist Church, 1210 Del Webb Blvd. W. Sun City Center, FL 33573.
Roger Watkins, 87, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at his home in Sun City Center, Fla., surrounded by family.
He was born April 7, 1933, in Wauseon, Ohio, and had been a resident of Vermilion, Ohio, since 1957, while spending winters in Sun City Center, Fla., for the past 20 years.
Roger worked as a math teacher and school principal in the Vermilion school system from 1957 until his retirement in 1988. In addition to teaching, he coached basketball and football at Vermilion High School and served as the varsity head basketball coach from 1960 to 1964, leading his teams to a combined record of 57-21 during that time.
He was a graduate of Hiram College, where he also played football and basketball, and received two master’s degrees from (Case) Western Reserve University. He also served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss in Texas before starting his career in education.
Roger loved spending time with his family and is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sue (nee Schaffner) Watkins; daughter, Jennifer Watkins Christensen of Wilmette, Ill.; sons, Jeff (Carrie) Watkins of Chamblee, Ga. and Jay (Amy) Watkins of Brunswick, Ohio; and four grandchildren: Katie Christensen, Caroline Christensen, Ben Watkins and Sam Watkins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Orra and Florence (nee Bruner) Watkins; brothers, Don Watkins and Hal Watkins; and sisters, Rachel Loar Ellis and Joan Domeck.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no memorial service at this time. A celebration of life service will be held in Vermilion at a later date.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 13406 W. Lake Rd. Vermilion, OH 44089 or Sun City Center United Methodist Church, 1210 Del Webb Blvd. W. Sun City Center, FL 33573.