Roger Eugene Watkins
1933 - 2020

Roger Watkins, 87, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at his home in Sun City Center, FL surrounded by family.

He was born April 7, 1933 in Wauseon, OH and had been a resident of Vermilion, OH since 1957 while spending winters in Sun City Center, FL 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. He served as a middle school principal for most of that time and opened the Sailorway Middle School as Principal in 1977. He also initiated the first trip to Washington D.C. for 8th grade students in Vermilion which is a tradition that continues today.

In addition to teaching, he coached basketball and football at Vermilion High School and served as the Varsity Head Basketball Coach from 1960-1964, leading his teams to a combined record of 57-21 during that time. Many of his players from those teams stayed in touch with him throughout his life and still called him "Coach".

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.

He was very involved in the community in Vermilion serving as a member of the Vermilion Lions Club since 1960 and being one of the original founders of the Vermilion YMCA, serving as its first President and was on the board for 10 years. He also served on the board of the Ritter Public Library for 15 years and was a charter member of Grace Methodist church in Vermilion, serving in all official capacities for the church including Chairman of the Board.

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, IL, sons, Jeff (Carrie) Watkins of Chamblee, GA and Jay (Amy) Watkins of Brunswick, OH; 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 CoVid19 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.