Charles Duran Watkins

life story

With deep affection and reliance on Jehovah, Duran cherished his family and supported them through many difficulties

Beloved Husband and Father

Charles Duran Watkins, 36, passed away on August 8th, 2022. He is survived by his wife Amber Watkins and his daughter Camai Watkins.

Describing Duran is a difficult task. Hating to go by his first name, he always introduced himself using his middle name instead; his mother named him after the 80s band Duran Duran because she thought the lead singer was cute. D, as he was affectionally called by his family, defined himself as “free-flowing” and “artsy”. Fitting in was never something he aimed to do; he was determined to carve his own path through this mess of a world.

In 2008, he married his wife, Amber. They loved with a passion that was obvious to onlookers. For Duran, his wife was an irreplaceable existence – only in front of her could he admit his weaknesses and she, in turn, helped support and carry his burdens. Although they did not have a perfect marriage, through trials and tribulations, they stuck by each other and always continued to hope to spend everlasting life together. They had a beautiful daughter in 2010 named Camai, who was unbelievably precious to Duran. He had looked forward to having his own child so much that he had even chosen the name for his daughter while still in middle school.

Duran was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness in 2014. He loved Jehovah and desperately wanted to raise his child in the truth. He admired Bezalel, who used his artistic talents to serve God. His favorite book was “The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived,” which he would read aloud to his daughter when she was younger.

Although he was burdened by pain from his past, he still tried to be kind to everyone because he knew that was how God wanted his servants to act. Duran often talked about the future Paradise. His dream was to be a nomad, traveling the world with his beloved wife in a moving house, accompanied by their children, pandas, and camels.

Duran had many interests. He loved to paint his family and make jewelry for his wife. He also wrote short stories and poetry. D had a particular fondness for music of all genres; you could often catch him playing old school rock like Jimi Hendrix as he sketched or danced along with his daughter. He enjoyed anime, especially Gundam series. His favorite way to relax was playing video games or snuggling with his wife on the couch to watch detective mysteries.

Duran rested his hope on the future resurrection, when he would be reunited with his family, finally freed from his pain and illness.