Heaven has welcomed another Tigers fan. James Kelley Watkins, MD, was born to Georgia Kelley Watkins and Ralph Nelson Watkins in Milford, Michigan, on March 25, 1930 and died peacefully in his sleep at his beloved cottage on Stony Lake in Shelby, Michigan, on June 17, 2026.
He was a three-sport star and class valedictorian at Milford High School and a member of the Milford High School Hall of Fame. He then matriculated at the University of Michigan, where he lettered in basketball (1949) and majored in history, kindling a lifelong interest in the subject and treasuring his subscription to "Michigan History" magazine.
During the Korean War, he served with honor as a naval officer in the Mediterranean on the Admiral's ship, honing his legal skills representing midshipmen charged with all manner of infractions and playing basketball against other ships' teams. He returned to attend Michigan's medical school, trained at the Cleveland Clinic and practiced urology in Grand Rapids for many years, serving a term as the President of the Kent County Medical Society as well as on the boards of many other nonprofits. He was proud to have been a part of the original kidney transplant team in West Michigan at St. Mary's Hospital, beginning in 1973.
To celebrate his retirement in 1994, he rode his bike from Disneyland to Disney World, raising money for Hospice of Grand Rapids. He and his wife Janet continued to bicycle with friends all over the country, including a memorable ride through all five boroughs of New York City. He was an altar boy from second grade through his senior year of high school but always enjoyed a bawdy joke! His faith community, especially in his later years at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Claybanks, was always central to his life.
He was a scratch golfer, an ace handball player, a nice tennis player and an intrepid skier and even became an accomplished competitive rower. His proudest accomplishment was his family. He embraced each of his children's and grandchildren's interests and the sports they competed in – none of which he played – soccer, hockey, field hockey and lacrosse. He became an art lover with Janet's encouragement and enthusiastically supported her involvement in the Grand Rapids Art Museum. His optimism and friendly nature made him the dad his children's friends adored.
Thanks to his son-in-law and granddaughter, he was able to attend his reunion of the University of Michigan's basketball players in February. A Tigers fan from at least kindergarten when he listened in class to the Tigers win the 1935 World Series over the radio, 91 years later he went to sleep one final time listening to a Tigers game. When you root for the Tigers, roar for the Lions and cheer for the Wolverines with a frosty glass of beer, know Jim is right there with you.
James is survived by: his wife of almost 70 years and his greatest prize (his words), Janet Weber Watkins; his daughter Kathy Harrison (Robin); son Bill (Gale Richards); son Chris (Hilda Salgado); son-in-law Stephen Hannock; granddaughter Kelley Saros (Jimmy); granddaughter, Mary Crawford (Jack); grandson William Watkins; granddaughter, Georgia Hannock; and great-grandchildren Jimbo, Teddy, and Rose Saros and Katie Crawford.
James was predeceased by and finally reunited with his daughter Bridget Hannock.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry, 5631 W. Stony Lake Rd., New Era, MI 49446 or Dégagé Ministries, 139 Sheldon Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 30 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, S. 50th Ave., Montague, MI 49437.
Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is assisting with arrangements.
www.harrisfhome.com
