Archibald Legare Watkins

Archibald Legare Watkins died March 2, 2017 from complications of cancer. Born on September 16, 1946, he grew up in Tallahassee attending Leon High School and The Darlington School in Rome, Ga. In 1969, he received a commission in The Marine Corps following his graduation from The Citadel in Charleston, SC. As an artillery officer, he was stationed in Japan where he got to spend a winter on the side of Mount Fuji (something he talked about every winter for the rest of his life). After his military service, he returned to Tallahassee where he worked in the financial services industry, ultimately becoming an independent financial advisor with Cantella & Company. Arch is survived by his wife of 43 years, Suzanne Blair Thompson Watkins, and his children, Archibald Legare Watkins, Jr. (Monika) of Baltimore, Md., and Elizabeth Blair Watkins Dorneanu (Daniel) of Charleston, S.C. and his grandchildren Caroline Maria Dorneanu and Peter Layton Dorneanu. Another grandchild is on the way and is going to miss knowing her amazing grandfather. He is also survived by his brother, Ernest Monroe Watkins, Jr., and his twin sister, Dorothy Watkins Davis and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Ernest (Buck) Monroe and Dorothy Legare Watkins and his sister Frances Watkins Fogarty. Arch's life was filled with many wonderful friendships, adventures, trips, hunts, and good times. He was loved by all that knew him for his quick wit and easy going personality. He was a longtime member of The Cotillion Club of Tallahassee, serving as President one year, and The Exchange Club of Tallahassee. Always a good sport, he had a sportsman's competitiveness that made any tennis match, golf round, or bird hunt much more fun. He spent countless hours diving and sailing the Gulf of Mexico and rivers and waterways of North Florida. In his later years, he enjoyed spending weekends at Alligator Point, FL, golfing, fishing, and bird hunting. He cherished his many childhood friends, the bums from The Citadel, his military buddies, and the numerous friends he made later in life. He dearly loved his family with special affection for his twin sister who always looked out for him. Arch lived a full and rewarding life and will be missed by many. There will be a private family burial on March 18, 2017 and a celebration of Arch’s life on March 19, 2017, at Capital City Country Club from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Donations in Arch’s memory may be made to St. Francis Wildlife, 5580 Salem Road, Quincy, Florida 32352, or the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193)

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Archibald Legare Watkins

September 16, 1946 - March 2, 2017