Gerald "Jerry" Robert Watson

Jerry led a full and adventurous life. He was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, served in the Army in Korea as a translator and then started his career at General Motors in 1966. He was a Wisconsin Badgers & Green Bay Packers fan and an avid collector. A proud UAW member and Democrat.

Jerry married the love of his life, Charlotte (Kopke), on May 1, 1974, in Janesville, WI. Transferring with General Motors in 1986, the family moved to Fort Wayne, until Jerry’s retirement in 2001. They built a log cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin as their retirement home and wintered in Texas for 20 years and Florida for 2. His quick wit, humor and even keel helped him make many lifelong friendships along the way. Jerry and Charlotte enjoyed traveling and exploring National Parks while camping in their Airstream. Jerry was always discussing his next meal while eating the current one and had a great fondness for delicious food and baked goods. He was a foodie before it was a thing. He was always quick with a joke or pun and lived his life to the fullest. He was always ready with a smile and in his sparkling blue eyes, you always knew he was happy to see you.

Jerry will be dearly missed by Charlotte, his beloved wife of 50 years; daughters, Tina (Dave) Baber and Amy (Scott) Houston; grandchildren, Daniel (Shannon) & Donnie Baber & Jasmine (Juan) Miranda; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Braelyn and Skyler Baber; brother, Jim (Mattie) Watson; sister, Susie (Joe) Susong and special friends, Kathy Henze and Randy Riley. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Florence Watson and sister Kathleen Watson.

There will be a private Celebration of life at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to D.O. McComb and Sons Funeral Homes, Covington Knolls, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, IN.