Obituaries

John Bagley Watkins

1923 ~ 2014

  John Watkins, 91, of Leland died on April 6, after a brief illness.  John was born in Detroit on March 20, 1923.  He graduated from Detroit University School, received a B.A. from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He was among the first Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) in the country.  He served in the US Army in World War II and flew in Korea during the Korean Conflict.  John lived in Grosse Pointe and worked for Detroit Bank and Trust Co. until 1977 when he moved to Leland and opened an investment counseling firm.  He officially retired in 2003.

  John was an avid golfer who loved playing with longtime friends and family.  He was a fixture at Men's day at the Leland Country Club until he was almost ninety.  He may be remembered most by his curse "Oh John!", when he dubbed a short chip.  He learned to downhill ski in the 1940’s and enjoyed it for much of his life.  He also played tennis regularly well into his eighties. For over thirty years John was a regular at the International Coffee Club of Leland enjoying discussions and camaraderie of friends.  He enjoyed the NMC International Affairs Forum and the Economic Club of Traverse City as well as the Old Town Playhouse.  Throughout his life John was active in the communities he was a part of; he was president of the Leland Country Club, a founding member of ShareCare, a long time Treasurer of the Leland Community Improvement Association, and an early supporter of the Leelanau Conservancy.

  He was an avid sports fan who followed Detroit sports, the Michigan Wolverines and his beloved Princeton Tigers.  He enjoyed intelligent discussion with friends and family, having a keen interest in many things.  Later in life, he was fortunate to find a good friend and companion in Ann Studer of Lake Leelanau who helped keep him active and well fed.

  John is predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Jean H. Watkins.  He is survived by his three sons, Warren (Ann) of Leland, John, Jr. (Shelley) of Leland and David (Maureen) of Brevard, NC and Leland, as well as seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

  A memorial service will be held in Leland this summer.

  Memorial contributions may be made to The Leelanau Conservancy P.O. Box 1007 Leland, MI 49654 and/or ShareCare of Leelanau 7401 E. Duck Lake Rd, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 and/or to an organization of your choice.

  Please share memories with the Watkins family at their online obituary at www.martinson.info.

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.