Daniel P. Watkins, Jr.
June 28, 1928-February 19, 2016
Daniel Primus Watkins, Jr. of Colorado Springs, passed away on Friday, February 19, 2016 after complications from lung cancer. He was 87.
Daniel was born on June 28, 1928 in St. Matthews, South Carolina to Daniel and Albertha Watkins, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Watkins and his sister, Bonita Black. He was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He joined the United States Air Force in 1949. After basic training, he was stationed in Montgomery, Alabama where he met and married his first wife, Marian Daniels. They were married for more than 46 years before her passing in March 1997.
Two years after the death of his first wife, Daniel met Pauline Ware. After a brief courtship they married in May 1999.
While in the Air Force, Daniel achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. During his military service he was stationed in: Montgomery, Alabama, Tachikowa, Japan, Niagara Falls, New York and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Daniel also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. While on active duty he was stationed in Cheyenne Mountain and was a systems analyst, programmer and computer specialist. He was honored several times for his outstanding and meritorious service. While in Vietnam he was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service.
Mr. Watkins is survived by his second wife, Pauline; son, Daniel III; daughter, Jan Michele (Francisco Flores); step-daughters: Alicia (Clyde) of Beulah, Colorado and Hardenia (Mark) of Black Forest, Colorado; grandchildren: Marion Daniel of Colorado Springs, Franchesca and Anjelina Flores of Denver, Sienna and Lillian Ressel of Colorado Springs, Mitchell Ressel of Kansas City, Missouri and Alyssa Ressel of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also survived by his brothers: Thomas and Harvey (Delores) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as well as a host of other relatives and close friends.
They say the measure of a man is not always what he does or says but how he makes you feel. Daniel was a man of GREAT dignity, honor, integrity and pride. He was a gentle warrior who served his country well. All who knew him, knew he loved to sing. For several years he was the lead singer of his own band, “Danny and the Downbeats”, a popular band made up of fellow service men in Japan. While here in Colorado Springs he was proud to sing in the Colorado Springs Senior Chorale and perform with Generation Journey, as well as the Peterson Air Force Base Chapel choir. While his passing leaves a great void in all our lives, his memory and legacy live on.
The family wishes to extend deep gratitude to Suncrest Hospice of Colorado Springs for the care, respect, courtesy and support they showed our family during Daniel’s transition. Our sincere thanks are also extended to our family, friends and neighbors that helped to make this journey bearable. To God be the glory for the things He has done!
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at the Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2016 at Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home. Interment and military honors will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Following interment, a dinner reception will take place at the Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 South Union Boulevard.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Silver Key of Colorado Springs, The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) Scholarship Fund or the American Lung Association in the name of Daniel Watkins.