The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Jack Tann Watson was born to Dr. Victor Dupree Watson & June Watson on March 2, 1947 in Bremerton, Washington and passed away in his home that he was so proud of on Sept. 1, with his family by his side, faithfully standing by to assist him in any way they could.

Jack graduated from Vinton High School in 1965. He was chosen as the wittiest student and all that knew Jack would agree that he succeeded one hundred percent. He was among Who’s Who and chosen as a class favorite. He also graduated from McNeese State College.

His grandfather, William H. Watson, practiced medicine for 50 years in Brandon, Ms. and his father was a small town family physician that everyone loved. Jack chose not to follow in their footsteps but all that knew Jack would testify that he was smart enough to be a doctor.

He was an air traffic controller for 17 years until 1981 when he was fired by former President Reagan, which he always said was his “claim to fame.” In 1982 Jack was hired by Edward Jones as a financial investment representative and opened an office in Cleveland, Tx.

He had an extremely successful business for nearly 30 years and developed long standing friendships with his clients and was highly respected by his peers.

Having his faithful working companions such as Ann Blyth Major, Madie Jones and Rhonda Caswell by his side made his job enjoyable and successful! With Edward Jones he earned many memorable trips abroad traveling with his family to some of the most beautiful places in the world.

His beloved brother-in-law, AD Finn, that cared for his sister, Vicci, so lovingly for years would accompany him to far away places like China and Thailand.

The most memorable was the last trip that he and his son, Seth, took to Rome, Italy in October 2013 which was the trip of a lifetime, literally.

Jack was a tour guide on these trips as most of our friends would agree, since he studied many months in advance and, never having gone to these destinations, one would never know by his historical knowledge of each location.

Jack had many hobbies, from bee keeping in earlier times to traveling, photography, playing the guitar, cooking, story-telling and gardening (his tomatoes were his pride and joy). He loved to fish and his pastime was reading, especially about European history. He was a walking encyclopedia and was always willing to share his knowledge. He loved Galveston and when he retired in 2008 he moved to the island where he enjoyed each day to the fullest. He was such a history buff and joined the Lafitte Society. This gave him an opportunity to study and research various subjects. He became program director and did very well.

One of our dear friends said of Jack recently, “A man can be intelligently engaged in the world around him, understanding that to live your life to the fullest meant doing what you love. For a man to be so down to earth, interested in so many things, music, art, history and still be that comfortable in a pair of jeans was so admirable.” That describes Jack.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Victor Dupree & June Watson, and his sisters, Vicci Finn & Cathy White.

Those of us left to miss him dearly are, first and foremost, his loving wife of 44 years, Cheryl Gail Watson; and his beloved son who is so much like his dad, Seth Tann Watson; his partner in crime, his beloved brother-in-law, Darrell Dale Prejean and long life companion Sherri Ellisor; his beloved sister-in-law, Glenda Benoit and her loving husband Vance; nieces Stacy Finn and Kristi Svoboda; and nephews William and Zachary White.

After Jack retired he enjoyed passing out his retirement card which read “No office, No business, No schedule, No projects, No money, No worries.” However Jack did have worries as a villain, small cell lung cancer was invading his organs at a high rate of speed and he was unaware.

His family tried every means to keep him strong and able to fight, but it was not meant to be.

After billions of dollars going into cancer research, the medical professionals are no closer to finding a cure except to offer the “Gold Standard” of radiation and toxic chemotherapy.

Many thanks goes out to his Edward Jones friends, Lafitte Society friends that sent cards and letters of encouragement and to neighbors that brought food over these last six weeks.

Special thanks to Sherri Ellisor, Glenda Benoit, Darrell Prejean and Heather Dunaway, his son’s fiancée, for always being supportive in every way.

Per Jack’s request, there will be no service. Following cremation his ashes will be spread in the Bay of Galveston.

This is a small segment of such a fair, loving and consistent individual. Jack was very proud of his accomplishments in his lifetime and was probably most proud of the fact that he provided for his family in such a loving manner, and was always able to help someone in need. There is so much to say about a person’s life and to have to express it on paper just doesn’t seem honorable enough for such a kind and unique individual.

An online guestbook has been set up at www.malloyandson.com.