Donald Boyer Watkins, 88, a former longtime resident of Damascus, passed away of natural causes on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at Lorien Health Care Center in Mount Airy, Maryland. Born on June 7, 1930, on his family’s farm on Long Corner Road in Damascus, Maryland, he was the son of the late Ira Dorsey Watkins and Florence Molesworth Watkins. He attended Damascus High School and after spending his early years working on the farm, in the late 1950’s, he began working for C. W. (Tommy) Thompson as a plasterer.
In 1962, Donald began his career with the Montgomery County Board of Education/Montgomery County Public Schools as a plasterer, retiring in 2007 with more than 45 years of service. Concurrently, he continued helping on his sister Mildred’s farm for many years and enjoyed tending to both his sisters’ lawn and home maintenance needs after they were widowed. He was a member of the Damascus United Methodist Church.
In addition, he was an original member of the Damascus Sports Association, DHS Boosters Club, and the Damascus Recreation Association (pool). He enjoyed watching his children participate in various sporting events, parades etc. , and had many fond memories shared with the other families as a result.
He especially enjoyed the early years of the Cougar football program and would frequently inquire about the players and families until his death. In his later years he loved attending his grandkids’ baseball, softball, basketball and soccer games and visiting with the other families. He like watching football and NASCAR and was an avid Dale Jr. fan.
Surviving are daughter Diane Gillis (Craig) of New Market, daughter Karen Fowler & son Donald “Rusty” Watkins of South Carolina, and son Michael Watkins (Alethia) of Damascus. He is also survived by granddaughter, Kelsey Lynn Watkins Ryba (Mark) of Frederick and grandson Ryan Michael Watkins of Damascus. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by sisters Mildred Virginia Watkins and Gladys Covington Watkins Nehouse, brother Albert Dorsey “Bud” Watkins and close nephew Roger W. Watkins. Friends may call from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm, on Friday, March 15, 2019, at the Molesworth-Williams Funeral Home, 26401 Ridge Road, Damascus. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, March 16, 2019, at the funeral home.
Interment will follow in Montgomery Methodist Cemetery, Damascus. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Sarcoma Foundation of America, 9899 Main Street, #204, Damascus, Maryland 20872. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.
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