John Kenneth "Buddie" Watkins, 92, of Riva

»Information from the George P. Kalas Funeral Home website.

John Kenneth “Buddie” Watkins, 92, a resident of Riva, died Oct. 12 at the Homestead Manor in Denton, MD.

Born on July 19, 1923 in Annapolis, MD, Buddie attended St. Mary’s schools. He served as a machinist mate in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Buddie pursued a 39-year career as a lineman with the Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. in Annapolis.

In his spare time, Buddie enjoyed fishing, camping and hunting. He served as a youth football and baseball coach for many years for the Riva Athletic Association and Elks Club and also served as a Boy Scout leader. Buddie was a member of the Elks of Annapolis and a life member and past chief of the Riva Volunteer Fire Department.

Buddie was preceded in death by his wife, Lillie Gray Watkins, who died in 1978.

He is survived by two sons, Butch Watkins of Easton, MD and Mike Watkins of Denton, MD; two daughters, JoAnn Snead of Riva, MD and Bridget Moss of Cordova, MD; one sister, Jean Koehler of Hillsmere, MD, eight grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Friends are invited to celebrate Buddie’s life on Friday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. until his funeral service begins at 11 a.m. at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.