John Pressley Watkins Jr.

John Pressley Watkins, Jr., 54, died October 29, 2023, at his residence in West Columbia, SC. The son of John Pressley Watkins, Sr., and Marcia Hair Watkins, he was born November 24, 1968, in Augusta, Georgia.

He graduated from Spring Valley High School and earned an associate degree in architectural engineering from Midlands Technical College. He worked at his father’s architectural firm, Architectural Design Associates, P.A., for many years and later worked at Marwin Company, Inc., and at Connecting Elements in Columbia, SC.

At a young age, John’s musical talent was recognized; and he spent his life composing and playing music. His prodigious technical ability with the guitar stood out above all. He was the lead guitarist and vocalist for The Unawares, along with longtime childhood friend and drummer, Rhett Berger, and bassist James Wallace. He later played electric piano in Jackson Spells, a duo with drummer Rob Cherry. Longtime friend and music producer/recording engineer Chris Wenner recorded all of John’s music, including his solo works. John loved to play and exchange musical concepts with many fellow guitarists including, Benoit St. Jacques, Saul Seibert, Zach Seibert, Tyler Watkins, Mitchell Hughes, and Jay Gore. John’s work was original and unconventional, pushing the limits of standard chord structures, blurring the boundaries of melodies, earning the respect and admiration of his peers. His loss will leave a void in the local Columbia music community.

John had a kind soul and was known by all as a gracious, gentle man with endearing eccentricities and a whimsically creative demeanor.

John is survived by his parents, his brother Jason Pender Watkins (Katy), and his former spouses Nancy Pope and Nancy Glaz, all of Columbia, SC.

He was preceded by his maternal grandparents, Judge Carl Mabeary Hair and Elnora Pender Hair, of Aiken, SC, and his paternal grandparents, Howard Pressley Watkins and Mary Baker Watkins of McCormick, SC.

There will be a visitation at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine St., Columbia, SC, from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 3, 2023. A celebration of John’s life will be held on December 2, 2023, at the Art Bar, 1211 Park St., Columbia, SC, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Memorials in John’s memory may be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention SC Chapter, 530 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC, 29033.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dunbarfuneralhomedevine.com for the Watkins family.