Mark R. Watkins

Mark R. Watkins, age 60, of Tipp City, OH passed away on May 7, 2019 at Upper Valley Medical Center. Mark was born on October 24, 1958 in Troy to Charles Watkins of Troy and the late Roxie (Chipley) Watkins.

In addition to his father, Mark is survived by brothers: David Watkins of Tipp City, Matthew (Lynn) Watkins of Troy, and Paul (Allison) Watkins of Greer, SC; niece(s): Brandy (Eric ) Fisher, Jaclyn, Colleen and Grace; nephews: Joshua (Sarah) Watkins, Connor, Ronan and Benjamin; great nephews: Kalob, Gabriel and Zechariah Watkins; and great nieces: Kylee and Haylee Fisher; and special family Hope Mumford, Las Vegas, NV and Robert Kinney.

A proud graduate of Troy High School and Upper Valley JVS, a member of the Tipp Eagles Lodge 2201, and First Lutheran Church in Troy.

Mark was a skilled mechanic who worked in many fields over the course of his life including automotive, commercial fleet, small, and marine type engines. As good as he was at his trades, his most notable skill was the ability to make anyone smile and laugh.  It was often rumored that he could make a stone column smile.

Mark was a very loving person and didn’t draw lines when it came to caring. If you were his friend you were family.  Not afraid to fight, he was equally not afraid to love, and he did both with great passion.  He missed his Mom very much and was so very proud of his Dad, his brothers, and probably a little more so of his nieces and nephews that he could not get enough of.

Mark didn’t have an easy life.  He made no excuses for himself and would not ask for help.  Being resolved to his circumstances all he wanted was to have purpose in the world, and the Family thanks those that provided him a place to live, friendship & tolerance, and a job so he could be productive in life.  What Mark didn’t have in money or possessions he made up for in the richness of a free spirit and his love for all.

Mark would want us all to celebrate our lives as we do his, so ride a motorcycle, ski behind a boat, drive a fast car, turn the music up, go fish near the river bank, jump in a lake, drink a beer, have a shot of whiskey, and never pass up a chance to say “I Love You”.

Visitation will be at Baird Funeral Home in Troy on Wed May 15th from 5-7 with a service immediately following, Internment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Troy on Thursday May 16th immediately following a 1:30-2:30 visitation. 

Donations to cover expenses may be made to the Funeral home in lieu of flowers.  Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.