Eugene Kelly Watkins

Obituary EUGENE K. WATKINS Eugene Kelly Watkins was born July 2, 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri to the union of Lee Ed Watkins, Sr. and Mildred Lawrence Watkins. Gene was the seventh child of twelve sisters and brothers. He accepted Christ at an early age at Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ. Gene grew up in the Kansas City school district where he attended Wendell Phillips Elementary, Sanford B. Ladd Elementary, Central Junior and Central Senior High School graduating in the alumni class of 1971. Gene was united in marriage to Carolyn Boone on July 7, 1984 for 28 years. To their union, Geno Kelly Watkins was born on March 30, 1989. At an early age, Gene sold the Kansas City Call Newspaper door to door and worked at the YMCA. Following graduation, he worked as a laborer at Bob Eldridge Construction with his Dad and brother Bill in the building of Crown Center. August 16, 1972 he was hired at Ford Motor Company as a laborer, retiring as an Inspector in 2003 with 31 years of service. After retirement, he continued to stay active and assisted his older brother Charles with various painting projects. Gene loved the game of basketball and continued playing the game for the remainder of his life. He and his longtime friend Lewis (Main) Taylor led the Ford Motor UAW Local 249 to several Missouri State Championships back to back for 25 years. He also played with other teams throughout the metropolitan area. He enjoyed extending his skills by teaching his son and nephews the game. Gene’s basketball idol was the legendary Julius Irving (Dr. J). Although he didn’t have the height of Dr. J, you would have never known it the way he moved on the court as a Point Guard leaving his teammates and spectators in amazement! (Swoosh) is all you heard. Gene played the game to win and winning is what he did best. You will also find him shooting pool, playing domino and cards. He loved the competition and loved being around his family and friends. Gene also loved R&B music particularly all the oldies from the Temptations, Earth, Wind and Fire, and the O’Jays, to name a few. His favorite song was “Reasons” by Earth, Wind and Fire. He also loved to dance. If the groove was there, you will find him on the dance floor or any space with his signature dance moves. He was always the center of attention and took pride in teaching his younger siblings how to dance. Gene touched many lives and knew so many people from the neighborhood, school and at Ford. He was dedicated to his son, teaching, mentoring, coaching and supporting him through life’s journey. He was kind, loving and always had a caring and giving spirit. He was very supportive and took pride in attending family functions, high school and college graduations of his son, nephews and nieces. If the family needed him, he was there! God called Gene home early on July 10, 2019. His Father, Lee Ed Watkins, Sr., Mother, Mildred Watkins, brother, Daniel Lucky Watkins and oldest sister, Dorothy M. Rogers preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memories, one son, Geno K. Watkins (Tori), one daughter, Danielle Nechole Boone, Pflugerville, TX; four grandchildren, Kenneth McGee, Sedalia, MO, Nakendra McGee, Deonte Boone and Dy’lon Fitzpatrick all of Pflugerville, TX and six great grandchildren; four brothers, Lee Ed Watkins, Jr, Charles E. Watkins, Bill D. Watkins and Raymond D. Watkins; and five sisters, Ruthie M. Watkins, Betty J. Vaughn, Josephine Conaway, Barbara A. Bryant and Sheila R. Brock, all of Kansas City MO.; Special Companion, Peatric Gates; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, a special cousin, Phyllis Brunson and a second family, The Taylors as well as a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 (noon) on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Watkins Heritage Chapel 4000 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd. KCMO 64130. Visitation 11:00 a.m. Interment Brooking Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eugene Kelly Watkins, please visit our floral store. Read More

Eugene Kelly Watkins

July 2, 1953 - July 10, 2019