Background
Watkins, John Chester Anderson was born on October 2, 1912 in Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. Son of Dudley Warren and Ruth (Woodruff) Watkins.
Watkins, John Chester Anderson was born on October 2, 1912 in Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. Son of Dudley Warren and Ruth (Woodruff) Watkins.
Doctor of Letters, Bryant College. D.J., Roger Williams College, 1983.
Reporter, makeup editor, aviation editor, Dayton (Ohio) Journal and Herald, 1934-1935; reporter, aviation editor, military correspondent, Baltimore Sun, 1935-1941; assistant to public, associate public, Providence Journal-Bulletin, 1945-1954; public, Providence Journal-Bulletin, 1954-1979; chairman, Providence Journal Company, 1961-1985; chairman emeritus, Providence Journal Company, since 1985. President Interam. Press Association, 1971-1972. Also member of advisory council.
Served as fighter pilot United States Army Air Force, 1941-1945. Operations officer 325th Fighter Group Mediterranean Theatre of Operations. Fellow New England Academy Journalists (Yankee Quill award).
Member Air Force Association, American Society Newspaper Editors, New England Daily Newspaper Association (president 1966-1968), Hope Club, Agawam Hunt Club, Cruising American Club, New York Yacht Club, Spouting Rock Beach Association.
Married Helen Danforth, November 20, 1943 (divorced 1959). Children: Fanchon Metcalf Burnham, Robert Danforth (deceased April 1999), Stephen Danforth, Jane Pierce. Married Izetta Jewel Smith, February 1960 (deceased 1989).