Earl Lester Watson, 81, of Jamestown, entered into eternal rest at home with loving family members at his side on Wed., Oct. 16, 2013. Earl was born Dec. 15, 1931, at Higdons Store, near Blue Ridge, Georgia, a son of the late William McKinley Watson and Ollie Adeline (Allison) Watson.
Earl moved with his parents and siblings from Georgia to rural Clallam County, Wash., near Forks, in 1936. He received the bulk of his education in the rural schools of that area. From Forks, the Watson family removed to Myrtle Creek, Ore., and then to Humboldt County, settling in and around McKinleyville.
Earl enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Feb. 8, 1951, at Eureka. He was an Electrician's Mate Fireman aboard the USS Swift, the USS Incredible, and the USS Bunting during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 7, 1955, at Bremerton, Wash.
After his discharge from the military, Earl worked for many years as a timber faller in the forests in and around Humboldt County. He retired from the woods in 1981 and then took a job as maintenance supervisor at the Fieldbrook Elementary School in Fieldbrook. He retired from the school in 1994 and he and his wife moved to Viola, Ark., in 1995, where they lived until June 2013.
Earl's favorite pastime was woodworking and he built many fine pieces of furniture for several family members and friends. In his earlier years, he especially loved music and enjoyed singing with members of his church family.
Earl is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dora (Rodgers) Watson, of Jamestown, as well as a daughter, Deborah Goodman of Elkins, W. Vir.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brett (Ranae) Watson of Fieldbrook, and Thomas (Elizabeth) Watson of Sonora; seven grandchildren, Leanna (Bradley) Clarke of Sutter Creek, Jenna, Lucas, and Jeffrey Watson of Rohnert Park, Thomas J. (Emily) Watson of Ione, and Emilee and Jefferey Goodman of Elkins, W. Vir.; two great-grandchildren, Emmeline Clarke and Andreas Watson; one-great-granddaughter, due to Thomas and Emily in Dec.; two sisters, Deleda Roper of Springfield, Ore., and Marie Dorvall of Crescent City; numerous nephews, nieces, and extended family members; and dear friends of 50 years, Bill and Millie Smart of Arkadelphia, Ark.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mae Millsaps; two brothers, Lonnie Watson and Bud Watson; and a son, David L. Watson.
An open celebration of Earl's life will be held on Saturday, October 26, at 1:00 p.m. from the Fieldbrook Community Church in Fieldbrook. Family and friends are welcome to attend a reception at Brett's house, 5387 Fieldbrook Road, Fieldbrook, immediately after the church service. A private burial in the Greenwood Cemetery, Arcata, will be at a later time. The family requests no flowers and, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Earl's name to the with acknowledgement cards sent to 18627 Manor Dr., Jamestown, CA, 95327. Arrangements provided by Terzich & Wilson Funeral Home, 225 Rose St., Sonora, CA, 95370, (209) 532-3131. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com and click on obits.
Source: Eureka Times-Standard, Eureka, California, Tue 22 Oct 2013, Wed 23 Oct 2013, Thu 24 Oct 2013.
Earl moved with his parents and siblings from Georgia to rural Clallam County, Wash., near Forks, in 1936. He received the bulk of his education in the rural schools of that area. From Forks, the Watson family removed to Myrtle Creek, Ore., and then to Humboldt County, settling in and around McKinleyville.
Earl enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Feb. 8, 1951, at Eureka. He was an Electrician's Mate Fireman aboard the USS Swift, the USS Incredible, and the USS Bunting during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 7, 1955, at Bremerton, Wash.
After his discharge from the military, Earl worked for many years as a timber faller in the forests in and around Humboldt County. He retired from the woods in 1981 and then took a job as maintenance supervisor at the Fieldbrook Elementary School in Fieldbrook. He retired from the school in 1994 and he and his wife moved to Viola, Ark., in 1995, where they lived until June 2013.
Earl's favorite pastime was woodworking and he built many fine pieces of furniture for several family members and friends. In his earlier years, he especially loved music and enjoyed singing with members of his church family.
Earl is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dora (Rodgers) Watson, of Jamestown, as well as a daughter, Deborah Goodman of Elkins, W. Vir.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brett (Ranae) Watson of Fieldbrook, and Thomas (Elizabeth) Watson of Sonora; seven grandchildren, Leanna (Bradley) Clarke of Sutter Creek, Jenna, Lucas, and Jeffrey Watson of Rohnert Park, Thomas J. (Emily) Watson of Ione, and Emilee and Jefferey Goodman of Elkins, W. Vir.; two great-grandchildren, Emmeline Clarke and Andreas Watson; one-great-granddaughter, due to Thomas and Emily in Dec.; two sisters, Deleda Roper of Springfield, Ore., and Marie Dorvall of Crescent City; numerous nephews, nieces, and extended family members; and dear friends of 50 years, Bill and Millie Smart of Arkadelphia, Ark.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mae Millsaps; two brothers, Lonnie Watson and Bud Watson; and a son, David L. Watson.
An open celebration of Earl's life will be held on Saturday, October 26, at 1:00 p.m. from the Fieldbrook Community Church in Fieldbrook. Family and friends are welcome to attend a reception at Brett's house, 5387 Fieldbrook Road, Fieldbrook, immediately after the church service. A private burial in the Greenwood Cemetery, Arcata, will be at a later time. The family requests no flowers and, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Earl's name to the with acknowledgement cards sent to 18627 Manor Dr., Jamestown, CA, 95327. Arrangements provided by Terzich & Wilson Funeral Home, 225 Rose St., Sonora, CA, 95370, (209) 532-3131. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com and click on obits.
Source: Eureka Times-Standard, Eureka, California, Tue 22 Oct 2013, Wed 23 Oct 2013, Thu 24 Oct 2013.
Earl Lester Watson, 81, of Jamestown, entered into eternal rest at home with loving family members at his side on Wed., Oct. 16, 2013. Earl was born Dec. 15, 1931, at Higdons Store, near Blue Ridge, Georgia, a son of the late William McKinley Watson and Ollie Adeline (Allison) Watson.
Earl moved with his parents and siblings from Georgia to rural Clallam County, Wash., near Forks, in 1936. He received the bulk of his education in the rural schools of that area. From Forks, the Watson family removed to Myrtle Creek, Ore., and then to Humboldt County, settling in and around McKinleyville.
Earl enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Feb. 8, 1951, at Eureka. He was an Electrician's Mate Fireman aboard the USS Swift, the USS Incredible, and the USS Bunting during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 7, 1955, at Bremerton, Wash.
After his discharge from the military, Earl worked for many years as a timber faller in the forests in and around Humboldt County. He retired from the woods in 1981 and then took a job as maintenance supervisor at the Fieldbrook Elementary School in Fieldbrook. He retired from the school in 1994 and he and his wife moved to Viola, Ark., in 1995, where they lived until June 2013.
Earl's favorite pastime was woodworking and he built many fine pieces of furniture for several family members and friends. In his earlier years, he especially loved music and enjoyed singing with members of his church family.
Earl is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dora (Rodgers) Watson, of Jamestown, as well as a daughter, Deborah Goodman of Elkins, W. Vir.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brett (Ranae) Watson of Fieldbrook, and Thomas (Elizabeth) Watson of Sonora; seven grandchildren, Leanna (Bradley) Clarke of Sutter Creek, Jenna, Lucas, and Jeffrey Watson of Rohnert Park, Thomas J. (Emily) Watson of Ione, and Emilee and Jefferey Goodman of Elkins, W. Vir.; two great-grandchildren, Emmeline Clarke and Andreas Watson; one-great-granddaughter, due to Thomas and Emily in Dec.; two sisters, Deleda Roper of Springfield, Ore., and Marie Dorvall of Crescent City; numerous nephews, nieces, and extended family members; and dear friends of 50 years, Bill and Millie Smart of Arkadelphia, Ark.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mae Millsaps; two brothers, Lonnie Watson and Bud Watson; and a son, David L. Watson.
An open celebration of Earl's life will be held on Saturday, October 26, at 1:00 p.m. from the Fieldbrook Community Church in Fieldbrook. Family and friends are welcome to attend a reception at Brett's house, 5387 Fieldbrook Road, Fieldbrook, immediately after the church service. A private burial in the Greenwood Cemetery, Arcata, will be at a later time. The family requests no flowers and, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Earl's name to the with acknowledgement cards sent to 18627 Manor Dr., Jamestown, CA, 95327. Arrangements provided by Terzich & Wilson Funeral Home, 225 Rose St., Sonora, CA, 95370, (209) 532-3131. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com and click on obits.
Source: Eureka Times-Standard, Eureka, California, Tue 22 Oct 2013, Wed 23 Oct 2013, Thu 24 Oct 2013.
Earl moved with his parents and siblings from Georgia to rural Clallam County, Wash., near Forks, in 1936. He received the bulk of his education in the rural schools of that area. From Forks, the Watson family removed to Myrtle Creek, Ore., and then to Humboldt County, settling in and around McKinleyville.
Earl enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Feb. 8, 1951, at Eureka. He was an Electrician's Mate Fireman aboard the USS Swift, the USS Incredible, and the USS Bunting during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 7, 1955, at Bremerton, Wash.
After his discharge from the military, Earl worked for many years as a timber faller in the forests in and around Humboldt County. He retired from the woods in 1981 and then took a job as maintenance supervisor at the Fieldbrook Elementary School in Fieldbrook. He retired from the school in 1994 and he and his wife moved to Viola, Ark., in 1995, where they lived until June 2013.
Earl's favorite pastime was woodworking and he built many fine pieces of furniture for several family members and friends. In his earlier years, he especially loved music and enjoyed singing with members of his church family.
Earl is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dora (Rodgers) Watson, of Jamestown, as well as a daughter, Deborah Goodman of Elkins, W. Vir.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brett (Ranae) Watson of Fieldbrook, and Thomas (Elizabeth) Watson of Sonora; seven grandchildren, Leanna (Bradley) Clarke of Sutter Creek, Jenna, Lucas, and Jeffrey Watson of Rohnert Park, Thomas J. (Emily) Watson of Ione, and Emilee and Jefferey Goodman of Elkins, W. Vir.; two great-grandchildren, Emmeline Clarke and Andreas Watson; one-great-granddaughter, due to Thomas and Emily in Dec.; two sisters, Deleda Roper of Springfield, Ore., and Marie Dorvall of Crescent City; numerous nephews, nieces, and extended family members; and dear friends of 50 years, Bill and Millie Smart of Arkadelphia, Ark.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mae Millsaps; two brothers, Lonnie Watson and Bud Watson; and a son, David L. Watson.
An open celebration of Earl's life will be held on Saturday, October 26, at 1:00 p.m. from the Fieldbrook Community Church in Fieldbrook. Family and friends are welcome to attend a reception at Brett's house, 5387 Fieldbrook Road, Fieldbrook, immediately after the church service. A private burial in the Greenwood Cemetery, Arcata, will be at a later time. The family requests no flowers and, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Earl's name to the with acknowledgement cards sent to 18627 Manor Dr., Jamestown, CA, 95327. Arrangements provided by Terzich & Wilson Funeral Home, 225 Rose St., Sonora, CA, 95370, (209) 532-3131. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com and click on obits.
Source: Eureka Times-Standard, Eureka, California, Tue 22 Oct 2013, Wed 23 Oct 2013, Thu 24 Oct 2013.
Gravesite Details
Electrician's Mate Fireman (EMF), U.S. Navy, Korean War, 1951-1955
