Rodger Dennis Watkins' Obituary
Rodger “Shorty” Watkins, 75, of Bartlett, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of January 7, 2023.
Shorty was born December 4, 1947, in Lucy, Tennessee the son of Bill and Elsie
(Dennis) Watkins. He received his Associate’s degree from Northwest Mississippi Junior College and would later go on to complete his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Memphis. He married Kathy McConnell September 16, 1972. The family, along with many friends, has lost someone who was the beating heart of their lives. He never met a stranger and loved to bring people together. Shorty loved cooking for his family on his grill, frying a turkey, or having one of his famous crab leg boils. The other great love of his life was the University of Memphis Tigers. This longtime devotion to his team is a love he passed on to his son and grandson. Shorty’s sense of humor and love of life will be greatly missed.
Like many men of his era, Shorty was drafted into service during the Vietnam War. He served his country valiantly in the Army with the 173rd Airborne Division. He would go on to earn the Bronze Star for his commitment to protect the country he loved. Upon returning home, he would later start a career in real estate where he began property management with Percy Galbreath, and later moving into real estate sales with Poplar Pike. During his time at Poplar Pike he would develop lasting relationships which would help him go on to found his own real estate company with business partners Linda Wilkes, Jim Robinson, and Jim Gates. River Oaks, Inc. was a novel approach to recruit experienced agents in the Memphis area and allow them to cultivate their business in a way to maximize their skills. During his time on the Memphis Area Association of Realtors, Shorty worked tirelessly to promote the profession of Realtor, and would later create the Benevolent Fund to help fellow Realtors in their time of need. During retirement, he enjoyed cheering on his grandkids in their numerous activities, as well as bringing them to cheer on his beloved Tigers. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife to places such as the mountains of East Tennessee and exploring the San Francisco Bay Area. His life was interrupted, but while he was on this earth, he embraced opportunities and the chance to experience life with open arms. His smile and charming ways can never be replaced. Shorty was truly one of a kind.
Shorty is reunited in Heaven with his parents Bill and Elsie, as well as his brother Bill “Cooky” Watkins. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kathy, two children - Stacy (Bruce) and Brian (Elizabeth), a sister Cathy (Rickey), three grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and a host of dear friends who are like family.
Services to celebrate Shorty’s life will be held Saturday, January 14th at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN. Visitation will be from 12pm-1pm, with service beginning at 1pm. Memorials may be directed to the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Benevolent fund in lieu of flowers.
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