Craig Watkins
January 17, 1961 ~ July 10, 2020
Craig Watkins
59, passed away Friday July 10, 2020. Visitation, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, July 17; Memorial Service, 3:00 p.m., Saturday July 18, both at Downing and Lahey Mortuary West, 10515 West Maple, Wichita Kansas 67209. Craig was preceded in death by his father, Charles E. Watkins, and a granddaughter, Ava Ann Watkins. He is survived by wife, Jolene Watkins; daughter, Amanda; son, Justin; brother, Mark; mother, Dorothy Bogisch; stepmother, Shirley Watkins, and 3 grandchildren. Craig will be missed by numerous friends and family. Craig was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas in January 1961. He graduated from Emporia High School and worked for 30 years for Coleman/Worthington in Wichita where he and his family have lived since 1984. Craig was a member of Riverlawn Christian Church in Wichita and it was his faith that carried him through this life journey. Nothing made him happier than sharing a campfire with friends and a good bourbon reliving stories of old. He never viewed his cancer diagnosis as an illness but rather a challenge to find joy in the journey. To say Craig was an avid outdoorsman is an understatement. His deep love of the outdoors was his way of life. He shared that with his city-girl wife who became his camping, hunting and hiking partner. Nature was his calling and he instilled that love of the outdoors with his children. Craig always had a song in his heart and a song on his lips. Those nearby were often treated to his passionate singing. Few things slowed him down except to enjoy the stillness of nature or an oncoming thunderstorm. He stayed active throughout his illness, and he and Jolene enjoyed their travels together creating memories and lifelong friendships across the miles. Craig’s request was to celebrate in a casual way, he requested no suits or ties. Memorial donations may be made to: Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202; MD Anderson Cancer Center, Fundraise to End Cancer, Memorial for Craig Watkins, P.O. Box 4470, Houston, TX, 77210-4470 .
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With fond memory of Craig. Condolences to the family. Peace be with you always!
Thinking of you Amanda! From Dustin, Ame, Kemper, Blair and Donovan
No matter what the length of time you spend together, there are some people that leave a deep lasting impression. I met Craig Watkins shortly after my family and I moved to Emporia midway through my Jr. year of high school. It was at practice for the ‘78 track season. We quickly became friends and started hanging out and running around together. That acquaintance turned into one of my first dearest friendships in Emporia. Craig played a major role in making my time there memorable and occasionally eventful. Like the time, in the last few days before high school graduation of ‘79. Now I don’t remember whose idea it was, but three or four of us decided it would be fun to run full circle around the outer hall at EHS in nothing but our jock straps. We were met with little resistance as I recall and were laughing so hard we barely made it back to the locker room. Cruising the Vista parking lot, the streets of Emporia, or out to Lake Kahola in Craig’s red ‘70 Pontiac La Lamans convertible, or the road trip to Council Grove Where we had to spend the night in Craig’s car in a thunderstorm, where we discovered the La Lams top was not entirely watertight, whether it was the weight room, intramural basketball (Devistation Gang, undefeated except for the faculty team that consisted of mostly our football coaches, it was a close game), the track field, making it to the 6 A state playoffs in football, or any of the other adventures we had. Craig was a strong, intense competitor in sports, a get the job done sort of guy, but he could also be a laid back easy going fellow, a lot of fun to be around. I always felt I was in good company when Craig was present. When his folks moved to Missouri, late in our senior year, Craig moved in with me, my sister Jennifer and my folks so he could finish high school at Emporia. Shortly after graduation I moved to a farm outside Osage City where I went back to a job in the hay fields. Craig left the folks around that same time as well, and our paths rarely crossed for the next ten years or so. When I took a job on Wichita and made contact with Craig. I wound up renting a room in Craig and Jolene’s basement at their home in Colwich. Amanda and Justin were very young, but I remember them well, and that I was made to feel like part of the family. It wasn’t a long stay, but I remember enjoying sitting at the dinner table playing games and appreciating their hospitality. There’s a reason these memories have stuck. Craig was someone you could count on, he was a good, kind, generous soul. I never saw a dark side to him. I have thought about Craig often through the years, fond memories that always put a smile on my face. Craig, thank you for the memories and experiences. It has always been an honor to call you my friend. Rest In Peace o’l buddy. With kindly thoughts and condolences to the family of Craig Watkins. Randy Lespagnard