Name: Murphy Funeral Homes
Address: Falls Church, VA

Fr. Watkins, 
When I did not receive your Christmas card past Christmas, I was worried and too afraid to call and find out the harsh reality!!! Today, I was brace enough to call and ended up in tears. You were one of the finest human beings I have ever met.
I will never forget our trip to the first church in history San Peter in the real Antioch in Turkey! It was a great experience and history lesson by a great teacher for me as a young man!!!

I will never forget your taking the time from your busy schedule and attending my wedding in Adana, Turkey. Only a true friend would do that!!!

I will especially never forget that you showed up with a large leather bag filled with necessities for a soldier to say good bye to me  when I got drafted by the Turkish Army.

Most absolutely and especially, I will never ever forget your open mindedness and love for people at large!!!

You finally went to God that you loved so much and served with dignity!

May God bless your soul, rest in peace Father Watkins!!!

Allah yirhamak!!!

Sawadee, Papason!  I knew intuitively when I didn't get your Christmas card this year that you had died.  But when I googled your name and saw it in print, my heart was deeply saddened.  You kept me alive in Ubon, Thailand (1974) and strengthened my faith.  I've always prayed for you in Mass and will continue to do so, but will miss being on your famous "Christmas Card List".  I'll never forget our "counselling" sessions with rusty nails to assist the conversation!  I thank God for having known you and pray that He grant you a direct route to His home; you have served Him well. Thank you for being my very Dear Friend! I will miss you greatly. (Please pray for me, Popason!)  Michael Davey

I tried to call you today. I. Knew something was wrong as we hadn't had our e wry month phone calls  I always remember New Year's Day how my mom had to make black eyed peas and you made us eat some for good luck.  You were always there for our family. When my mother died you said the mass. When my dad died you said the mass. You did both graveside services for both of them at Arlington. You did the benedictions at the christening and commissioning of the USS Wayne E Meyer.  I will never forget the New Years cruises you went on with our family. You are now ther with my Mom and Dad and I am sure my father still is telling you what is wrong in this world. I will miss you greatly. Paula Meyer (Tampa)

Father Clarence Watkins was a great friend, someone I was so fortunate to have met back in 1985.  He was wonderful to talk to, I always felt uplifted, motivated and truly inspired by his kind words. He was such an inspiration in my life, it was a blessing  to have known him. I am forever grateful for his counsel and wisdom, his sense of humor and wit.  There was never a conversation where he did not make me laugh until my sides hurt. Having both been in the Air Force we could easily spend hours talking about the good times and the tough times, and there was plenty of his humor thrown in that kept me laughing long after I hung up the phone. 
   I was recruited by Father Watkins in 1986 to be lector at the base chapel, Incirlik AB, Turkey. As a Lieutenant  I was not easy to train, my performance was mediocre at best,  but he never gave up on me--he was patient, he was always kind. He wouldn't let me quit which at the time I felt was a good option. Even  my wife told me although I definitely could use some improvement I should continue with my tasking and as long as Father Watkins was for me, who could be against 
me.  
    I consider myself  lucky. There are reasons in life we meet people like Clarence Watkins, a gift of friendship that is priceless and words fail to do justice. I will truly miss Father Watkins, but I hold the hope that he preached in his sermons, a message of old friends reuniting and laughing once more.  
Rest in Peace Father....
                                                                         Carlo  Biagini   (Tampa, FL)

Fr.Watkins was a good friend to our family.  We will really miss him.  

The Richard Daniels Family, Alexandria, VA

Father, no many how many years would pass, you always remembered. Every time I would see you, you would ask about each family member by name, then a remembrance about my grandmother (in heaven almost 35 years now), then you would, verbally, literally reconstruct the street where I grew up, asking about each family (most in St. James Parish) by name and how they were doing. You were a good friend and will be missed.

Father Watkins was like a member of our family.  Growing up in Falls Church, he was often a fixture at our dinner table, too.  He and my Dad were very good friends.  And I would love to hear them laughing over good food.   I know they are enjoying a good meal together now in heaven.

Fr. Watkins was a close personal friend of our entire family.  He preformed weddings, baptisms, funerals, etc.  He will be truly missed.

Fr. Watkins was a dear member of the Tracy and Regan families who are cousins.  I always enjoyed being with Clarence at various family gatherings. He was a source of support and wisdom for all and will be dearly missed.

Fr. Watkins will be greatly missed.  He was such a good person, very well respected and one of our family's favorites while he was at St. James.   Great sense of humor, very devout and touched so many of the parishoners' lives.   

On more than one occassion, I remember having to knock on the rectory door to wake father up for early morning mass as an altar boy back at St. James in the late 60's early 70's.  As I'd assist Fr. Watkins on the altar with the mixing of the wine & water and blessing of the Eucharist at mass later that morning, we'd share a smile or maybe even a little snicker keeping the secret between us of what had just happened a half hour earlier that morning before mass started and how he had to jump out of bed like a bat out of hell to start the mass on time... childhood memories...  

Fr. Watkins was (unknowingly) the accidental "life of the party", a joy to be around and he had one of the greatest life affirming laughs you've ever heard.  He loved his music and he loved teaching his St. James boys choir, though the poor soul couldn't carry a tune to save his life, (which just made our times and the experience together that much more hilarious - especially, when we'd pretend that we didn't understand what he was instructing us to do [sing] as we, in turn, would tease father back and ask him to sing it for us to give us an example of what/how he wanted the hymn to be sung.)  ... Just a riot!  

Godspeed Father Watkins, my friend. Having you there at St. James made Catholic school somewhat bearable and fun.  Crank your music up loud so we can hear it down here and please feel free to sing along.  You will be missed but never forgotten.

Deepest sympathy - we'll miss you. Rest in peace.  
Beata Family

I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Father Watkins when he served as pastor of St. Rita's parish in Alexandria. He was a very good man and a solid priest. He was wise and gracious, principled and kind, among many other fine attributes. I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with him and spend time with him. He will certainly be missed. My condolensces to his family and close friends. Please be assured of my prayers for the repose of his soul. God bless you Father.

Fr. Watkins will be sorely missed.  He served tirelessly and with a smile.  He comforted my self and young son during our most trying times in life.  "Let the angels carry him up to heaven in peace"

God Bless, our condolenses to his fmily, friends and church parishioners,

Monica Reissland, St. rita parishioner
Blaize Reissland, Ft Belvoir, VA  and St. Rita Parish and St. Rita School

If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives. 
-Bishop Robert South 

Fr Watkins generously gave from the heart. Many great memories from his time at St James parish. His service should be emulated by anyone entering the priesthood. 

God Bless, 

Brian Culhane

I was honored to serve with Father Watkins as a fellow Chaplain at Arlington National Cemetery.  He was devoted to his calling, most humble, loved people, and served his Lord to the fullest.  His life has been an inspiration for many and memories will linger for many whose lives he deeply touched and made a difference.  May our Lord grant comfort, strength, and love to his family and friends at this time !

Father Watkins performed our wedding 41 years ago and will always be special to us.

Father Watkins was not only our priest, but a part of our family for many years in Falls Church. He often joined us for Sunday evening homemade pizza, baptized our children, and was a close friend to our parents.  We are all saddened to hear of his passing, but feel blessed to have had him in our lives.

Father Watkins I will miss you so much.  We had so many good times together and many lunches.  I will miss our phone calls and your checking on me to make sure I made it home ok.  May you be resting in the peace of our risen Lord.  Thank you for your 45 years of service to our Lord and his flock.  Jim will miss getting Navy articles from you.  Till we meet again.
Mary and Jim Knowlton

Father Watkins:

My only regret is that our friendship didn't develop sooner.  You were a true man of God and an inspiration to all that knew you at Skyline Square.

Little did I know that last Sunday would be the last time I would see you alive.

I will miss the many chats we had about what it was like to grow up in Richmond during the 40's and 50's.

To the family and the loved ones of Father Watkins, I will only say I grieve with you in your loss. 

However, there are many mansions in heaven and I know in my heart Father Watkins will certainly have his mansion there.  

Jim Lichford, Falls Church, VA

Fr.Watkins
I was shocked and saddened to hear of your passing. I remember you from the early days at Queen of Apostles with Father Hannan. I also remember meeting you again years later at Park Center when you lived there and were serving in the Air Force. I will always remember all the laughs we had and your expert culinary skills !!You were a great Priest and  friend to many. Rest in peace my friend.

Fr. Watkins was a fine man and a fine priest. I have fond memories of his time at St. James, and our occasional encounters over the years.

OBITUARY

Rev. Clarence N. Watkins

April 16, 1933 – July 9, 2012

Murphy Funeral Homes

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