Father remembered for his jokes, wit

Before there was Google, there was Tim Watkins.

The Costa Mesa father of two and avid bodysurfer “had the memory of an elephant,” said his ex-wife, Jodi Watkins. It was something family members said they came to depend on for information.

“He could tell you what you said 15 years ago, what you were wearing and where you were,” she said.

Watkins was killed in a car crash Saturday in Manteca, where he was visiting his father for Thanksgiving. He was 49.

Gathered at his house Thursday afternoon, Watkins’ family shared their favorite memories of him and spoke of what made him liked by everyone who met him.

“He’ll make friends with the guy standing in front of him in line at the grocery store,” said his sister, Peggy Thompson. “If he met you he’d remember you.”

Watkins’ sharp memory was matched only by his wit, relatives said.

“Razor sharp. Any situation and he’d have a funny comment and it’d be spot on,” said Kevin, his older brother.

Sure, the jokes might be funny. But even if others didn’t laugh, Watkins surely did.

“Timmy loved a good joke. Especially the ones he was telling,” Thompson said with a laugh.

His nieces and nephews agreed that Watkins was his own best audience, which was obvious when he’d give himself his signature noogie on his head for cracking himself up.

Watkins grew up in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Avila Beach and ultimately settled in Costa Mesa in high school. He graduated from Costa Mesa High School and went on to graduate from USC. He coached youth baseball and soccer and played in a local rugby team.

His 8-year-old daughter, Molly, said she loved watching “The Biggest Loser” with her dad and when he took her shopping for clothes.

His son, Brooks, 15, plays water polo at Estancia High School.

Both kids’ friends and teachers have reached out to the family, offering their condolences and dropping off flowers at their home, Watkins’ mother, Thea Wendorf, said.

She added that in the days before Watkins died, he reached out to family letting them know he loved them. He called her to wish her a happy Thanksgiving and e-mailed his niece, Michelle Aguilar, encouragement while she’s in Panama with the Peace Corps, she said.

Watkins is preceded in death by his daughter, Sarah, and survived by his parents, Chuck and Thea; son, Brooks, daughter, Molly; brothers Chip, Marcus, Kevin and Jason; sisters Peggy, Brandy and Jenny.

Services are open to the public and will be at noon Saturday at Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Drive in Newport Beach.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Children of Tim Watkins Memorial Fund at Farmers and Merchants Bank, 1750 E. 17th St. in Santa Ana.