James Watson
d. July 11, 2011
James Watson
1st Sgt. James D. Watson (U.S. Army, Retired), 78, of Little Rock, passed away July 11, 2011. He was born in Fordyce to James D. and Ivey Marie Brown Watson where he was raised. At the age of 10 he moved to New Orleans for a short stay and then returned to Little Rock where, at the age of 16, he joined the U.S. Army. During his 24 years in the Army, he served in Korea, Germany, Vietnam and Thailand and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, (2nd award) Army Occupational Medal (Germany), Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Bronze Star Medal, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, 7 Overseas Bars, and the Good Conduct Medal (7th award).
Upon his retirement from the military in 1973, Jim began his second career at the Veterans Administration and retired as Chief of Administration and Discharge at the Little Rock and North Little Rock hospitals. Following his second retirement, he was able to travel, play golf and enjoy spending time with his grandchildren, his favorite pastimes.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine Terrell Watson; sons, James David Watson of Mayflower, Richard Alan Watson of St. Joseph, Missouri and Stephen Craig Watson of Little Rock; daughters, Evelyn Marie Hinton (David) of Poteau, Oklahoma and Elizabeth Michelle Leatherwood of Little Rock; brother, Edward D. Watson (Linda) of Benton; sister, Marion Nadine Laird (H.B.) of Mabelvale; grandchildren, Danny Watson, Kristen Watson, Katie Watson, Ryan Watson, Brandon Watson, Ryan Hinton (Jenny), Melissa Hinton, Julia Bullard, Britt James Hinton, Alivia Sahlin and Aubrie Leatherwood; great-granddaughter, Abby Kay Hinton; a host of nieces and nephews; and special daughters, Eva Lee of Hong Kong, China, Narissa Smanavawich of Bangkok, Thailand and Phillippa Kim of Canberra, Australia. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Frances Mazur, and a son, Baby Watson.
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 13 from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Services will be Thursday, July 14 at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Rev. Linda Singh. Graveside services will be Friday, July 15 at 10:00 a.m. at Garland Cemetery in Stigler, Oklahoma.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Mr. Watson's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
Upon his retirement from the military in 1973, Jim began his second career at the Veterans Administration and retired as Chief of Administration and Discharge at the Little Rock and North Little Rock hospitals. Following his second retirement, he was able to travel, play golf and enjoy spending time with his grandchildren, his favorite pastimes.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine Terrell Watson; sons, James David Watson of Mayflower, Richard Alan Watson of St. Joseph, Missouri and Stephen Craig Watson of Little Rock; daughters, Evelyn Marie Hinton (David) of Poteau, Oklahoma and Elizabeth Michelle Leatherwood of Little Rock; brother, Edward D. Watson (Linda) of Benton; sister, Marion Nadine Laird (H.B.) of Mabelvale; grandchildren, Danny Watson, Kristen Watson, Katie Watson, Ryan Watson, Brandon Watson, Ryan Hinton (Jenny), Melissa Hinton, Julia Bullard, Britt James Hinton, Alivia Sahlin and Aubrie Leatherwood; great-granddaughter, Abby Kay Hinton; a host of nieces and nephews; and special daughters, Eva Lee of Hong Kong, China, Narissa Smanavawich of Bangkok, Thailand and Phillippa Kim of Canberra, Australia. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Frances Mazur, and a son, Baby Watson.
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 13 from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Services will be Thursday, July 14 at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Rev. Linda Singh. Graveside services will be Friday, July 15 at 10:00 a.m. at Garland Cemetery in Stigler, Oklahoma.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Mr. Watson's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
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