Gerald R. Watson

Gerald Roy Watson, age 81, of Ontario, passed away Saturday afternoon, February 6, 2021, at his home due to congestive heart failure. He was born January 13, 1940, in Ashland, Ohio, to the late Glenn and Helen (Mack) Watson.

Gerald retired in 2002 from Ideal Electric as a tool and die maker after 40 years of service. In his younger years, he enjoyed boating. He was a hard worker and enjoyed building houses with his two uncles, Guy and Floyd Mack, and built all four of the homes he lived in as an adult. Traveling with his wife, Carolyn, was one of his favorite activities. Gerald was a car enthusiast and enjoyed traveling to car shows with his wife by his side, winning many trophies with his 1966 Ford Mustang. He was a member of First Church of the Open Bible.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Carolyn Cozzens Watson; three children, Sherry (Alvin) Capps of GA, Dianna (Trac) Richards of Mansfield and Ed (Tina) Clark of Mansfield; ten grandchildren, Robert Guarino, Candace (Justin) Reaves, Alvin Capps Jr., Kassondra (Brandon) Stanford, Cicelyann (Steve) Shears, Lauren Richards (fiancé, Sam Coon), Sierra (Matthias) Stewart, Michelle (Nick) Thornton, Lisa (Bruce) Lozier and Mick Beaire; great-grandchildren, Kenzie, Reece, Windsor, Jazlynn, Brantley, Braxton, Westyn, Xavier, Coen, Cooper, Carleigh, Shaelyn, and Kayden; and a brother, Jim (Lynn) Watson of NC.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Watson; grandson, Brandon Barker; and two brothers, Ronald and Kenneth Watson.

Carol would like to thank their church family for all their prayers, cards, phone calls and love and also Dr. Burwell and the nurses for their care and the OhioHealth Hospice team for their compassionate care of my sweet husband.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, 2021, at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service officiated by Pastor Dink Porter will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. He will be laid to rest in Mansfield Cemetery.

To adhere to the governor's mandate, all guests are required to wear a face covering and maintain appropriate social distancing during their time in the funeral home.