James Carroll Watkins

James Carroll "J.C." Watkins, 92, passed away on February 10, 2026, in Rockwall, Texas.

He was born on May 1, 1933, in Stratford, Texas to Virgil and Agnes Watkins and was raised throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Montana.

J.C. attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in German. A gifted athlete, he competed in football and track and earned the nickname "10 Flat" for consistently running the 100-yard dash in ten seconds flat. After completing the USAF ROTC program, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in the spring of 1955.

During his military career, J.C. was stationed in Florida, California, New Mexico, Morocco, Maine, Germany, and ultimately Carswell Air Force Base. He concluded active duty in 1968, later serving in the Air Force Reserves and retiring with the rank of Major after contributing to the development of manuals and protocols for joint base operations.

Following his military service, J.C. also proudly served as Mayor of Balch Springs, Texas continuing his lifelong commitment to leadership and service. He built a diverse civilian career, working in engineering, property management, overseeing the transportation train system at DFW Airport, and in radiation safety at UT Southwestern Medical Center. It was there, through a bible study, that he met his beloved wife, Ellen. They soon married and shared many devoted years together. Their marriage was marked by faith, partnership, and steadfast love. In his later years, Ellen remained faithfully by his side, offering constant care, strength, and devotion.

Faith was a steady foundation throughout J.C.'s life. No matter where he stationed, he remained deeply involved in his church community. He attended Emmanuel Baptist Church while living in Maine, later worshiped at Emmauel Baptist Church during in his time in Germany, and faithfully served for many years in Sunnyvale First Baptist Church in Dallas. He was ordained as a deacon and remained devoted to serving both his church and his Lord wherever life took him.

He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Randall Lee Watkins.

He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years Ellen Watkins; Randall's widow Valerie Watkins; his sons Larry Watkins and life partner Nancy Davis; Wayne Watkins and wife Cathy Watkins; grandsons Matt Watkins and wife Arista Watkins; Daniel Watkins and wife Sylvia Watkins; Bethany Watkins and Rebecca Watkins; Catherine Gant and husband Joshua Gant; Lucas Watkins; Sharolyn Viganego and partner Jacob Gant; Hunter Gonyea and wife Jessica Allred; and his brother Richard Watkins and wife Kaye Watkins, along with their children. He is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins who continue his family legacy.

J.C. will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his dedication to service, his leadership, and his deep love for family.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many reasons: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." - John 14:1-3

Service Details-

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 17th at 11:00a.m., followed by funeral services at 12:00 p.m. at Sunnyvale First Baptist Church. At 2:00 p.m., the family will proceed to Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery for burial services.