Karen Jean Watson

Karen Jean Watson, age 82, passed away on November 7, 2025. Karen was born in Fredonia, Kansas to Inez and Clyde Carter on February 22, 1943. Karen met Jerry Watson at Pittsburg State University, and they were married on August 1, 1965. Together they had two children, Jon Carter Watson and Sherry Kay Watson. The family traveled extensively, flying with TWA throughout the USA and Europe. She hand sewed patches onto matching jackets, depicting each of their trips. Karen & Jerry kept meticulously organized photo albums of their family explorations.

She was an avid reader. In 1989 she took a reading break and learned to cross stitch. She picked it up quickly and proceeded to make several beautiful designs which she proudly framed and displayed for many years. Working at TWA she always dressed well in suits, heels and stockings and pearly white nail polish. She exercised in the morning and ate like a rabbit, always keeping prepared veggies in the refrigerator. She worked at TWA for over 20 years, where she was the staff assistant to the vice president of maintenance and engineering . In 1991 her husband Jerry passed away after a battle with cancer.

In 1992 Karen met Fred Messer while working at TWA. In 1993 they became a couple. In 1995 they moved to lake Pomme de Terre. Karen & Fred enjoyed the lake life where she enjoyed eating out with their lake friends, watching the hummingbirds at the feeders, watching the Kansas City Chiefs, and going out on the boat with Fred & their grandkids. She never stopped traveling. Instead of flying they purchased a motorhome and travelled across the country with their dogs, Missy and Coco, and later Tigger. Her favorite places being Teton National Park in Jackson, WY and Glacier National Park in Montana. Wherever they were, Karen always had to collect a souvenir rock and stop to put her feet in the water. For 32 years they were a loving couple living in Kansas City, Hermitage Missouri, and finally Kansas City again.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Inez and Clyde Carter; her brother, Jim Carter; her husband, Jerry Watson and her sister-in-law Kay (Watson) Smith.

Karen is survived by her longtime companion & partner Fred Messer, two children, Jon (Stephanie) Watson and Sherry Watson, Mark Messer (Lisa), Grandkids: Carter, Jeremy, & Morgan Watson, Joshua Watson, Alix (Maxx) Flagg, Jake Messer, and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and also her two loyal companions, Bullet and Maverick.

Services for Karen will take place on Friday, November 21, 2025 at White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119. Visitation at 12, funeral at 1, with a reception to follow all services.