Biography
Watkins was born March 7, 1927 in Alhambra, California. His grandfather George Clinton Ward was president of Southern California Edison during the 1930s. His father, Edward Francis Watkins, owned the Southern California Winery Co. His mother, Louise Watkins, unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Senate in 1938; he described his mother as "a woman ahead of her time."
He attended Webb School of California in Claremont, California; he subsequently graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1949 and received his master's degree in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1958.
He spent 37 years in the Navy, serving on destroyers, cruisers and submarines, and shore assignments in personnel management. During his tenure in the U.S. Navy, Watkins served as Chief of Naval Operations, Commander of the Sixth Fleet, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and Commander-in-chief of the Pacific Fleet.
He was the father of six children, including Katherine Watkins Coopersmith, RNCS; Edward Francis Watkins, a successful internet entrepreneur; Susan Watkins, a nuclear engineer; and Catholic priest Monsignor James D. Watkins, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Northeast Washington D.C.
He died of congestive heart failure on July 26, 2012, at the age of 85.
Read more about this topic: James D. Watkins
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