Russell A. Watson

Russell A. Watson, 84, of Scottsbluff, died Friday, June 23, 2006 at the West Nebraska Veterans Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2006 at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel with Pastor Jeff Porter officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park with military rites by the Nebraska National Guard. Friends may call at the funeral home between 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday. Russ was born September 8, 1921 in Andrews, NE to Albert D. and Fern (Pullen) Watson. While his father worked for the railroad they lived in various location and in 1929 after his father passed away the family moved to Alliance and then to Minatare where he received his education graduating in 1939. While attending high school Russ worked at Colson’s Drug Store. After graduation he moved to Scottsbluff and worked at Hauserman’s Drug Store. He married Ann Marie Roth June 24, 1941 in Chadron and raised two children Kay and Keith. Russell entered the Army June 14, 1942 serving in San Antonio and in France. He was honorably discharged December 10, 1945. He bought half interest in the Gingham Inn Restaurant and opened Tom & Jerry’s Drive Inn in 1950. After retiring from the restaurant business he was an appraiser for the assessors office and then sold real estate. He retired after serving as steward for the Elks Lodge for six years. After Ann’s death he returned to Minatare and has been at the Veterans home for the past 18 months. Russ was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Masonic Lodge, a past patron of the Order of Eastern Star and a member of the Cosmopolitan Club. He was active in the Panhandle Saddle Club and the Antique Old Car Club. He is survived by his daughter Kay Thayer of Minatare, son Keith of Honolulu, HI; granddaughters: Joy Marie Roberson of Austin, TX and Michelle and Kristoffer Rehder of Billings, MT; grandson: Russell Thayer of Silverdale, WA; great granddaughter: Makayla Ann Marie Moore of Austin, TX; brothers: Jerry (Marge) Watson and Chuck (Wandalee) Watson all of Scottsbluff. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.