Born September 11, 1940, Durango, Colorado to Thomas R Watson father and Edith May Peterson Watson. Attended grade school in Elbert and Elizabeth, Colorado. Moved to Loveland July 1953. Graduated high school from Loveland High in 1958. Joined the US Navy July 1, 1958.
Service schools for Air Craft Hydraulics until 1961. Transferred to VW4 Navy Hurricane Hunters in Roosie Roads Puerto Rico 1961. While attached to VW4 he was involved in flying in 5 hurricanes and countless weather flights. He was involved in the Cuban Crises in 1962 during the Blockade of Cuba. 1965 transferred to VR8 NAS Moffett, California, flying as Air Crew on C130 Aircraft owned by the US Air Force. 1967 transferred to VAH 123 NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. 1960 transferred to VAH10 at Whidbey Island. Detached July 1969 to USS Hancock CVA19 for 8 month far-east cruise involved in operations off Vietnam. 1970 transferred to AMH (B) School then 3 months later transferred to VAQ131 aboard the carrier USS John F. Kennedy CV67. 1973 attached to NAS Alameda, California. June 1973 he volunteered for service aboard the carrier USS Midway CVA41 when it was to be the first carrier to be home ported outside the US in Yokosuka Japan. Served aboard for the next three years flying as Plane Captain on the ships COD (Carrier On Board Delivery). 1975 transferred to NAS North Island San Diego, California. Retired from the Navy July 29, 1977.
After retiring from the Navy he came back to Loveland and started work at the Loveland Water Treatment Plant where he worked for the next 28 years, retiring September 12, 2005. He also received the Employee of the Year Award for the Water Department for 1987. Served on the City Safety Committee as well for the department for over 10 years. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, camping and wood working.
Preceded in death by father Thomas R. Watson; mother Edith May Peterson, Watson; wife Natividad T. Watson; still born daughter Tirza Leah Watson; first wife Jessie Mae Cutschall, Washington State; Barry Davis, grandson Minnesota.
Survived by wife Thao Phuong Dang Watson, Loveland. Sons Leonard W., Joseph A. Jr., James E. Watson, Washington state; daughter Kim Thu; Maria L. Mercer, husband Ken. Loveland; sister Dorris E. Watson, Loveland; Tom Landry, nephew. Grand children, great-grand -children, nephew, great niece, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Services to take place at Resthaven Funeral Home, visitation on Thursday Oct. 4th 5-7 pm, funeral service Friday Oct. 5th at 10am. Internment at Resthaven Memory Gardens with full military honors. Reception to follow graveside service.
