James “Jim” William Watson, 82, of Terre Haute, and formerly of Montezuma, passed quietly into Heaven at approximately 12:30 pm Friday, April 10th following a 10 month battle with cancer. He was a very loving husband, father, and grandfather who treasured his family.
He was born March 24, 1933 to Gladys and Clarence Watson of Hillsdale in the home he grew up and lived in for 19 years. He graduated from Hillsdale High School and worked for E.I. Dupont at Newport until entering the Army where he served two years. He was a professional photographer owning studios in both Terre Haute and Montezuma. He also worked for Lifetouch National School Studies for 15 years before retiring in 1996. He was the school photographer for 14 counties in this area and was known to the students and staff as the “Picture Man”. On May 9, 1954 he married Joyce Harvey of Montezuma and they lived there until 2012 when they moved to Terre Haute.
He is a 55 year member of the Montezuma Christian Church where he served as a Deacon and also had served as Chairman of the Board. He had been a member of the Montezuma Volunteer Fire Department and was a Little League Baseball Coach when his boys were younger. He was also a member of the Lifetouch Alumnus Club.
Since moving to Terre Haute, he had been attending the Union Christian Church and also the Independent Baptist Church in Montezuma.
He was an avid IU basketball and Colts football fan and loyal supporter of anything his grandchildren were involved in from sports, music and 4-H activities.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters, and also a special brother-in-law.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Joyce; two sons, Mike (Gina) of Mt. Zion, Il, and Randy (Genny) of West Terre Haute; a daughter, Kimberyly (Chris) Skiba of West Lafayette; nine grandchildren, Chad (Jill) Watson, Lindsey (Caleb) Damery, Amy (Nick) Guinn, Brandon Watson, Matthew and Megan Skiba, Kyle Watson, Somer (Brian) Nourse, and Sarah (Daniel) Pigg of Terre Haute; eight great-grandchildren, Lexie and Braylon Damery, Shae, Cael, and Breanna Watson, India and Elliot Pigg, and Allyn Nourse and was looking forward to welcoming a new great-granddaughter in July. He is also survived by three sister-in-laws, a brother-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at Brown-Mack Funeral Home in Montezuma at 1:00 pm with Steve Gommel and Keith McIntyre officiating. Pallbearers will be Mike, Randy, Chad, Brandon, and Kyle Watson and Matt, and Chris Skiba. Visitation will be from 4-8 Monday evening. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Montezuma. Military honors will be performed by Parke County Veteran’s Organizations.
Donations may be made in his memory to Parke Co. Food Pantry or any charity which helps those less fortunate, as this was very important to him. Online condolences can be made at www.brownmackfuneralhom.com.