Dr. John Brahm "Jack" Watkins, 83, longtime Minot veterinarian and former co-owner of Minot Veterinary Clinic died on Sunday, May 31, 2009 in a Minot healthcare center.

Jack was born on July 22, 1925 in Cherokee, Iowa to Lewis and Edith (Lee) Watkins. He was reared and educated in Storm Lake, Iowa and graduated from high school there in 1942.

Jack was inducted into the U.S. Army on August 27, 1943 and served as a radio operator until his honorable discharge on January 11, 1946. He served with the Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion of the 47th Infantry in Normandy, northern France and Belgium. During his time in the Army he received two Purple Hearts for wounds received in St. Lo France and Belgium, the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with two bronze battle stars, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal with 3 Overseas Service Bars.

Following his discharge he attended Storm Lake College for three years prior to being accepted to the Iowa State University School of Veterinary Medicine in Ames Iowa. He received his doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1951.

Jack married Fern Arnett on November 23, 1950 in Bronson, Iowa. Following their marriage, they made their home in Grafton, ND where he was employed as a veterinarian for fifteen months. He was employed as a veterinarian in Grand Forks for three years before accepting a position at the Minot Veterinary Clinic in 1955. He became a partner in the ownership and operation of the clinic in 1956 along with Dr. James Foss and Dr. George Christensen. In later years he was joined by Dr. Robert Cook. Dr. Watkins retired from Minot Veterinary Clinic in 1981 and was then employed by the Department of Agriculture until 1991. Then, he served as the Minot Park District Veterinarian for seven years.

Dr. Watkins was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church, Minot Rotary Club, American Legion and VFW all in Minot and was an honorary member of the ND and National Veterinarian's Associations. Jack and Fern enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada, and they had memorable trips to Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Jack looked forward to camping trips with his family, studying regional history, and woodworking especially making furniture. He was never happier than spending time in the North Dakota countryside, making calls to area farmers, hunting with the family dogs Sally and Spike and visiting with friends and neighbors. Jack loved a good story and relished conversation.

Jack's loving family includes his wife of 58 years: Fern; children: Mark of Farmington, NM and Beth Watkins (James Bulman) of GuysMills, PA; grandchildren: Nick, Jared, Patrick and Stuart Watkins; Maudie and Lily Bulman; brother: James (Betty) Watkins of Sioux City, Iowa and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and brother: Dick Watkins.

Funeral Service: Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in First Presbyterian Church - Minot.
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to First Presbyterian Church or to the Roosevelt Park Zoo.