Danny Eugene Watkins

Danny Watkins, age 74, born on September 19th, 1951, passed away on June 29th, 2026, at 6:10 a.m. and will be laid to rest at West Virginia National Cemetery on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 10 AM.

He is survived by his wife Elaine Miles Watkins and her children Sarahvena and Garrett Carroll, his daughter Beth Jones and her husband Rob, Thomas Watkins and his children Jordan and Kobe, his brother Jim Watkins, his wife Flo and his children Conan, Sacha, Tommy Watkins, his sister Cheryl Dodrill Daniel and her husband Chad and her children Levi and Briana, and Lisa Blanton and her husband Mitch and her child Milise. His bonus children, who adopted him, are Anita, James, and Tiffany Albright. And today, he is holding his firstborn, Maria Ann Watkins, in his arms, whom he hasn't held since 1968.

He was born in Grafton, West Virginia, and enjoyed hunting with his grandpa John Watkins and his Uncle Cromwell, and also enjoyed anything that Aunt Della cooked! Even had fun stories about how his little brother Jim coaxed him into peeing on the electric fence at the farm. He was also in the Sea Explorers, which was the Navy's equivalent to the Eagle Scouts.

He left Grafton at the age of 18 and joined the Army. Where he lived in many different places and enjoyed exploring the many countries he visited, thank you, Army, hooah, all except for the Arctic Circle, thanks a lot, Army! Although he served a total of 23 years both in the United States Army and the Army National Guard, he had various other occupations during his lifetime. He went to college at Fairmont State and earned a bachelor's degree in computer science. Unfortunately, it was obsolete by the time he graduated.

In his military career, his highest rank was Specialist 5 Staff Sergeant. He was a combat veteran, a tanker, a tank commander, an LRRP, a 50 cal. Gunner, an MP, a CAV Scout, and a heavy weapons instructor, even did a stint as a baker. His military career covered Vietnam, Honduras, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and a couple more that I can't tell you about. He also went to Afghanistan with the D.O.D after he had left the Army.

Danny's dedication and courage were recognized with numerous military honors, including the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (3rd Award), Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device (2nd Award), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and both the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) and Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait).

We married on September 16th, 2006, in Sparta, TN, even though we lived in Cookeville, TN, then moved to Jasper, GA, and then to Ball Ground, GA, where he lived his remaining days. Together, we enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling together, but mostly we enjoyed our children and each other.

He adored his family, whether it was biological, military, or married into. He would do anything for a friend. He was peaceful and easygoing unless provoked, but that's another story. He enjoyed life and the beauty that every day brought.

He loved, really loved, and was loved, really loved. He was larger than life, and he will be held in our hearts for eternity.