Jack Watkins Jr. Obituary (1959 - 2022)

Jack Gifford Watkins Jr, 63, beloved father, son, husband & devoted friend, passed away in his home, surrounded by the comfort of his loving family on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 after fighting a valiant battle against Glioblastoma Brain Cancer. Jack was born on February 4, 1959, in Erie, Pennsylvania to Jack Gifford Watkins, Sr & Joyce Palmer Hayes. He admirably served in the US Navy on the USS Shreveport as a Hospital Corpsman. After the Navy, Jack spent over 41 years in the medical field as an RN, BSN, CCU, Nurse, lovingly caring for & serving patients in the hospital system, then in private practice as the proud owner of Providence Nursing, providing professional in-home nursing services. He helped many live their best lives after they left his care. At the end of his career, he bravely cared for patients in Critical Care Covid Units in multiple states. Just a few of the many ways to describe Jack: He imparted wisdom, lived honorably & adventurously, a man with a rough exterior yet soft heart, strong willed yet compassionate & giving. If he gave you his word, you could count on him following through. Above all else, he was there for everyone, at any time. He had a love of cars & held a Recreational Pilots License. He sacrificed much to provide numerous memorable family adventures, including ocean vacations, boating, fishing & skiing trips and loved supporting his children & grandchildren's football & baseball games. Jack is survived by his lovely bride, Grace Lasco Watkins, his children: Lance (Shannon) DeWitt, Texas; Johnathan (Tiffany) Lasco; Logan (Amy) Harmon; Colt Lasco, Wyoming; Melissa Riley; Cody (Katie) Watkins; Brandon Watkins; Darah Grogan, his fur-babies: Kinsey; Kyle & Max and his grandchildren: Talon; Zach; Zane; Pierson; Tessa; Reven; Kayson; Quentin; Oliver; Liam; Jax; Christa; Briar & Kallen. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his granddaughter Kendyl Grogan. Befitting the outdoorsman Jack was, Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be held in September 2022 (opening of Steelhead season) near Lewiston, Idaho. Jack's final resting place will be in Cripple Creek, Colorado.