Robert James Watkins, 85, of Greensboro went to be with our Lord and Savior surrounded by his family and Rue the dog on Sunday, July 14, 2024. He was born in Mecklenburg County on June 9,1939 to the late “Coach” Robert and Martha (Delaney) Watkins.

Bob graduated from Appalachian (Watauga) High School in 1957 and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1964. He retired from Cooks Sporting Goods in 2015 where he worked as a team salesman.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years Vicki, brother Danny Watkins (Pat) of Wilmington, brother-in-law Paul Burroughs (Dianne, deceased) of Raleigh and sister-in-law Patty Sawyer of Nashua, New Hampshire. In addition he is survived by his 3 children, Robbie Watkins, Suzie (Ed) Daughtridge, Shannon (Chris) Triolo, 9 grandchildren Megan Heinen, Celeste (Schuler) Benson, Tyler Magdich, Lindsey Daughtridge, Dylan Daughtridge, Delaney Daughtridge, O’Reilly Triolo, Patrick Triolo and Lana Triolo and 1 great grandchild, Declan Heinen.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister Dianne Burroughs.

Bob was a natural athlete and lettered in all sports offered at Appalachian (Watauga) High School. After graduation from UNC with a degree in education, he entered the teaching profession in Yadkinville to follow his dream of coaching. Bob later transitioned to insurance before landing a position in team sales with Bocock Stroud where he spent a majority of his career selling sporting goods to many schools and colleges across North Carolina.

While working for Bocock, Bob continued to follow his first love, coaching football and basketball at Glenwood Community Center, baseball with the Colt league and basketball at the YMCA. Bob was known for going above and beyond in his coaching duties on the field and on the court.

In his later years Bob enjoyed sitting at the kitchen table with his grandkids, watching and identifying the various birds and wildlife. His favorite was the hummingbirds that frequented the feeders in the backyard of Watkins Woods. When not bird watching, Bob would meet up with his retired coaching colleagues affectionately known as the “T-Rex” bunch for weekly lunches. He would also travel annually with the “Sweet Swingers” to Pinehurst or Myrtle Beach for golf and poker playing. The remaining times he enjoyed going to his high school class reunions and fishing on the Outer Banks. When at home he was usually talking on the phone or watching sports. He maintained a complicated love/hate relationship with his alma mater Carolina, that anyone within earshot of a Carolina basketball game can attest.

The family will be accepting visitors at the Pierce Jefferson Funeral Home on 300 West Wendover Avenue, in Greensboro, North Carolina on Friday, July 19th at 1:30 pm, followed by a service at 2:00 pm. The body will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

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