Timothy Randall Watkins of Annandale, Minnesota was born New Year’s Day 1956 in Bemidji, Minnesota to Duane “Buck” and Joann Watkins, as the oldest of five children he grew up in the Becida area until the family moved to International Falls, Minnesota where he graduated in 1974.
In 1979 he married Donna Randolph and they had two sons. Living in the Falls area he worked for various construction companies doing many different things becoming a Jack of all trades and master of those he enjoyed. His diverse background with welding, woodworking, driving various types of semis and operating equipment led to the opportunity for him to work for the city of Annandale for several years after a short stint in Glencoe, Minnesota where he worked on a family owned dairy farm. He also worked at Petty Brothers Meats for many years which was crucial to him forming many friendships, most of which he considered to be family. In June of 2003, he gave marriage a second chance marrying Debbie J. Elliott at the Methodist church and they lived in Annandale until Tim retired then they split time between Annandale and the camper up north. Due to growing up around farming, gardening was always a fun hobby as he got to play with his tractors. He loved hunting and fishing especially with the boys and their friends until the grandkids were old enough to join, then the fun really started for him. Odds are if you stopped by the house you got offered coffee and a snack of some sort before hearing at least one joke and a dozen stories about his kids, adventures he had while on projects he worked on or doing anything outdoors …
Tim is survived by his wife Debbie, his oldest son Matthew (Anna) and their children Blaine, Chase, David and Millie; youngest son Justin (Tatiana) and their daughter Isabella; “chosen brother/son” Jim Colberg and his children Jordyn and James, his sisters Mary and Laurie (Scott) and brother Jon (Sue), several aunts and uncles as well as many nieces and nephews and their children.
Heeding the call to come home for supper on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, he was greeted at the gate by many friends and family members before proceeding to join his parents, Debbie’s parents, both sets of grandparents, two brothers and a niece and nephew at the table. Enjoy the coffee and we will see you soon. More later!
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, 3330 Irvine Ave. NW, Bemidji. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Another celebration will be held at a later date in Annandale for those unable to make the service at this time … told ya more later!