Obituary of John Watkins

~~JOHN WATKINS
November 11, 1921 - November 14, 2017

Due to Dementia, John had spent the last five years in care, most recently at Santa Maria where he resided at his death.

John was predeceased by his wife, Peggy; son, Cal; parents Bert and Amy and stepmother Hazel; brothers, Henry, Albert, George and David.

John is survived by his family, including Greg Watkins and Pat McCormick: Janis Watkins: Roly Rowe; Grandchildren, Joey and her husband John: Stephen; Roland and his wife Alicia; great-grandchildren, Jasmine; Mitchell and Kiara and great-great-grandson Ryland. He is also survived by his extended family, including Greg’s and Pat’s many ESL children, especially Cindy; Min & Mira; Ryota and Shoko; Nawa and Lek and their children. He is also survived by his brother Frank: sister-in laws Ruby and Lesa numerous nieces and nephews and cousins from the Watkins and Padbury families.

John was a farmer and rancher throughout his life, farming first with his dad Bert, then with his brothers and finally with Greg, who still operates the family ranch, only retiring at age 91, due to the onset of dementia. He and his brothers were successful farmers, ranchers and feedlot operators at Aylesbury. In addition to ranching, he and his family had also been aggregate producers and potato growers. John was always a cattleman at heart, raising Registered Herefords and showing Bulls each year at the Regina Bull sale until the early 60's. As leaders of the Aylesbury 4-H beef Club, he and Russ Spencer passed on their knowledge of livestock to many young people from the community and were able to assist them in developing leadership skills.

John also served his community through many organizations including the Hall Board, Rink Board, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Committee and as a Trustee of the Davidson School Unit.

John had been a hockey and baseball player, curler, fisherman and hunter, skills he passed on to his sons and others. He and Peggy were avid card players and never missed a chance to play crib or bridge.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 3233 Argyle Rd, Regina, SK.