Obituary for James Earl Watson
James Earl Watson, Jr. (Sonny) passed away Tuesday June 16, 2020.
He was born October 5, 1931 in Columbus, Mississippi to James Earl and Bessie Irene (Kemp) Watson.
Jim enlisted in the Army and was a parachute instructor with the 82nd Airborne Division. After the Korean War, he was stationed in Germany and Colorado Springs as a supply Sergeant.
After serving six years in the Army, Jim moved to Wisconsin, where he married Eva Joyce Hughes on August 23, 1958. God blessed them richly with three daughters: Victoria Lynn Waas (Bernie), Brenda Sue Sulok (Dennis), and Elizabeth Ann Thompson (Greg). He loved them dearly and was so proud of each. They have 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Jim worked at J.I. Case Tractors for 30 years, and owned Lakeland Painting in Racine, Wisconsin for several years.
Jim loved the Lord, his family, and his church. He was a charter member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Racine, Wisconsin, and was an ordained deacon. He worked in Sunday School many years at Immanuel and was Association Sunday School Director for several years. After moving to Joplin, Missouri in 1999, Jim and Joyce joined Forest Park Baptist Church, and actively served in Sunday School and with the JOY Club, enjoying the fellowship of the seniors and the fun trips they would take.
Jim was passionate about Sunday School/small life groups at the church, knowing each of us needs a small group where we can grow in our faith, learn more about God and His Word, and serve God, our families, and our community.
Jim also loved AWANA, a children’s program that focuses on learning God’s word and memorizing scripture.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Monday at Forest Park Baptist Church. Visitation will be 10:00 am Monday prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Forest Park AWANA program, or the charity of your choice, and that we always remember to be kind to one another.
He was born October 5, 1931 in Columbus, Mississippi to James Earl and Bessie Irene (Kemp) Watson.
Jim enlisted in the Army and was a parachute instructor with the 82nd Airborne Division. After the Korean War, he was stationed in Germany and Colorado Springs as a supply Sergeant.
After serving six years in the Army, Jim moved to Wisconsin, where he married Eva Joyce Hughes on August 23, 1958. God blessed them richly with three daughters: Victoria Lynn Waas (Bernie), Brenda Sue Sulok (Dennis), and Elizabeth Ann Thompson (Greg). He loved them dearly and was so proud of each. They have 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Jim worked at J.I. Case Tractors for 30 years, and owned Lakeland Painting in Racine, Wisconsin for several years.
Jim loved the Lord, his family, and his church. He was a charter member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Racine, Wisconsin, and was an ordained deacon. He worked in Sunday School many years at Immanuel and was Association Sunday School Director for several years. After moving to Joplin, Missouri in 1999, Jim and Joyce joined Forest Park Baptist Church, and actively served in Sunday School and with the JOY Club, enjoying the fellowship of the seniors and the fun trips they would take.
Jim was passionate about Sunday School/small life groups at the church, knowing each of us needs a small group where we can grow in our faith, learn more about God and His Word, and serve God, our families, and our community.
Jim also loved AWANA, a children’s program that focuses on learning God’s word and memorizing scripture.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Monday at Forest Park Baptist Church. Visitation will be 10:00 am Monday prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Forest Park AWANA program, or the charity of your choice, and that we always remember to be kind to one another.