His call is to 'dream ridiculous dreams'
By Mary Stamp
Human and civil rights leader, pastor and chaplain, the Rev. Percy Happy Watkins, who died Oct. 25, leaves a legacy of and call to "dream ridiculous dreams."
At the close of the celebration of his life on Nov. 15, his wife of 61 years, Etta, said, "Remember the smile on Happy's face. He will always be with us and guide us as long as we put our lives in God's hands. I pray that his dreams and legacy will be uplifted by those here."
One of the ridiculous dreams Happy helped bring into being was The Fig Tree. When he was on the board of the Spokane Christian Coalition, he voted to start it in 1984. He served on The Fig Tree Board from 2008 to 2018 after it became an independent nonprofit.
Happy shared ideas for articles to give voice to people and issues of the African American, multi-racial, multicultural, multi-faith, social justice and human rights communities.
Along with being known for reciting Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech, Happy comforted parishioners as pastor at New Hope Baptist Church and shared wisdom in community discussions from proverbs and quotes he memorized.
The oldest of 10 children, Happy grew up in a poor family in the Bronx on a block with thousands of blacks, whites, Puerto Ricans, Irish, Poles, Italians and Jews. He was shocked by the lack of diversity when he came in 1961 to Spokane at 19 in the Air Force.
Attending Morningstar Baptist Church lightened the depression and loneliness he felt, especially when he met Etta Jean Batsell. They married in 1963. They have five children, Percy, John, Paul, James and Anna, 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Happy worked six years at a grocery store, treating every customer with respect. Then he traveled around Eastern Washington and North Idaho as an insurance salesman. He also drove a school bus and opened a barbecue restaurant.
Knowing he was the first black person some had seen, he defused racial slurs and stereotypes, breaking down distrust and putting people at ease with his friendliness and disarming smile.
A ministry opportunity arose, and Happy restarted Sharon Christian Methodist Episcopal Church from 1982 to 1985, becoming licensed as a deacon, an elder and then a pastor. From 1985 to 1990, he was assistant pastor at Calvary Baptist, mentored by the Rev. C.W. Andrews. Then he followed in the footsteps of the Rev. Jim Sims in 1990 as pastor of New Hope Baptist Church and prison chaplain at Pine Lodge and Geiger correctional facilities.
New Hope's call for him to serve the community, as well as the church.
While working 12 years in security at Deaconess Medical Center, he took clinical pastoral education and served several years as a chaplain at Deaconess and then at Holy Family Hospital.
In the community, Happy worked to improve racial equity in the correctional system, police department, school district and youth programs. On ecumenical and interfaith bodies, he worked for reconciliation among faiths.
With other clergy, he challenged the disparity between the proportion of blacks in Spokane's population and the proportion incarcerated.
Promoting education to overcome the achievement gap, he sought to assure that children of color graduated from high school, went to trade schools or college, and had career choices.
"Dr. King's message to young people was for them to be the best they can be," said Happy, urging youth to study and work hard.
In 1986, when there were no black police officers, he joined pastors and community leaders to bring equity to the civil service exam and hire people of color. That year, six black, two Hispanic and a Native American became police officers.
Happy also challenged bias he met in housing sales and rentals.
With pastors and community leaders, he helped start the Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. Family Outreach Center.
In 1986, Gov. Booth Gardner came to a luncheon at the Ridpath Hotel. Lydia Sims, president of NAACP Spokane, asked Happy to read the "I Have a Dream" speech. Happy memorized it and, until two years ago, passionately gave it 30 to 50 times a year in schools, churches and universities from Genesee, Idaho, to Cashmere, Wash.
"It's not just a black dream. It's for all races. It's also about the fight to legalize immigrants and respect people of all races" Happy said.
In 1989, he and other clergy organized Spokane's first annual MLK Day rally and march. At first, there were 50, then 300 and now about 3,000 participants.
When African American astronaut Michael Anderson of Spokane died when Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated on reentry in 2003, Happy and others raised more than $100,000 for a statue by the Opera House.
With Spokane Public Schools equity officer Ivan Bush and others, Happy dreamed of naming a street after King. After years of persevering, Martin Luther King Jr. Way became reality in May 2012, extending Riverside east of Division.
"Through disappointments, setbacks, roadblocks, tears and heartaches, when you fall on your back, you look up and get up," said Happy.
He served on and led the Spokane Ministers' Alliance, NAACP Spokane, the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center, The Fig Tree Board, the Spokane Office of Police Accountability, the Gonzaga Prep High School Board and other organizations.
Along with sharing King's dream for justice in the community, Happy stressed the importance of family, home and the kitchen table. He had an impact on many lives and families.
Happy officiated for thousands of weddings and funerals, providing pastoral care to parishioners and community members.
"The dream has validity," he said, calling for people to stand together in times of challenge and controversy.
At the Nov. 15 celebration of Happy's life, community leaders, clergy colleagues and family members paid tribute, concluding with a eulogy by the Rev. James Watkins, his son and successor at New Hope Baptist.
The following are a few insights and stories from the service celebrating Happy's life.
His son, Deacon John Watkins, said that the day Happy died, his clothes were laid out as he was ready to go to church.
"He was a church boy. For him, church was a place of healing and restoration," John said.
His son, Elder Percy H. Watkins III, said his father loved getting onto the floor to play with his children and grandchildren.
"When he came into a room it would light up," he said.
Retired Spokane school superintendent Gary Livingston said Happy was his "most valued consultant and community liaison, a tireless advocate for equity in education. He fought to be sure every child learns."
Michael Dougherty, president of Gonzaga Preparatory School, said "Happy was a saint whose presence was, is and shall be God's presence."
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown said Happy "led as a servant leader with faith, hope and love, with integrity and moral authority."
Freda Gandy, executive director of the MLK Community Center, said Happy "is responsible for the leader I am today." When she wanted to move home to Mississippi or to Atlanta, Happy said: "Spokane needs you here."
NAACP Spokane president Lisa Gardner said, "The NAACP lost a tireless advocate for civil rights and social justice" who "embodied the mission of the NAACP to drive out hate by transcending it with love."
Bishop Gary Tyson of General Baptist Convention of the Northwest said, "The tallest tree in Spokane's forest has fallen, but Spokane is in good shape because of the commitment of the Watkins family."
Pastor Amos Atkinson of Calvary Baptist Church promised that "after weeping, joy will come again."
Bishop Ezra Kinlow of Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, said, "I joined him many times trying to make Spokane better. Because of him, Spokane is not the same."
As Todd Eklof, pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane said, "Happy was Spokane's best friend. He would introduce me as his best friend. I also heard him introduce others as his best friend."
Happy gave him Raphael Warnock's book, "The Divided Mind of the Black Church," which asks, Is the black church to save souls or to transform society? It concludes that it's for both.
"Happy was heroic, sticking his neck out in 2012 to support same-sex marriage and legalizing marijuana in Washington," Todd said. "Six months after marijuana was legalized, stop-and-search arrests were reduced by half.
"Happy had courage as he sought to create heaven on earth," he said.
In paying tribute, three of Happy's grandsons each claimed to be the favorite.
"Of all his titles, he was most proud to be 'Grandpa.' His advice to us was often scripture," said Isaiah.
"I know his legacy will endure and grow strong," said Ephraim. "He called us to act. To celebrate his life, we need to continue to do his work."
"Happy was my first best friend, I went wherever he went," said Elijah.
Thomas Bookman, a friend of James who became Happy's "second son," said, "He expected the best from us."
In his eulogy, James called people to follow Happy's advice to "dream ridiculous dreams."
"Not all loved him. He got hurt," James said. "My father went through difficult times in the 1970s and 1980s when he went to North Idaho to help establish the human rights coalition to face the Aryan Nations.
"He was a miracle worker. When he walked in a room, he had a knack of diffusing tensions with his smile. He helped people hear each other. He dealt with people with kindness and love," said James. "I started following him because I feared for his safety in places where I saw hatred. I was in awe of his response."
As Happy declined, James realized he needed "a caretaker of his legacy," which is more than the "I Have a Dream" speech.
"Dad ministered to his dying day," James said. "As I sat at his bedside, I felt the spirit of God and asked, 'What do you want from me?'
"A double portion, I want you to be the caretaker to advance his legacy," James heard, glad that Happy's sons, grandsons and the community will join him in this call.
"Dad left a legacy. Will we be the caretakers of his legacy? I am committed to carry on his legacy and dreams," said James, repeating his father's challenge: "Dream ridiculous dreams."
"It's not what you can do but what God gives you," James said. "Happy brought people together and did things—fed the hungry, housed the homeless, welcomed strangers, got police officers of color hired, started a family center, named a street…."
"My dad dreamed ridiculous dreams," James repeated.
For information, call 535-1336, email newhope9021@gmail.com or visit https://www.newhopebaptistspokane.org
