Osborn Jasper Watson

Funeral services for Osborn ""O.J."" Watson, 91, of Huntington will be held Friday, February 19, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Huntington with Reverend Kevin Otto and Reverend Martin Doran officiating. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Restland Cemetery in Tenaha.
Mr. Watson was born September 26, 1918 in Tenaha, Texas to the late Lizzie Mae (Patterson) and Jasper Ward Watson, and died Monday, February 15, 2010 in a local nursing home.
A former resident of Pasadena, Mr. Watson had resided in Huntington for 25 years. He attended Texas A&M University for two years, and then enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Mr. Watson served during World War II and was stationed in Archer Field, Brisbane, Australia, where he met his wife of 67 years, then in Lae, New Guinea. He worked as an aircraft mechanic for Braniff Airlines at Love Field in Dallas and Bayport Aviation in La Porte, which he eventually became the owner of. Mr. Watson retired to Huntington to be near Lake Sam Rayburn. He was a member of the Huntington United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Watson of Huntington; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff and Janie Watson of Fort Worth and Doyle and Rhonda Watson of Kingwood; daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra Otto of Manvel, Ruth Anne and Walter Shugart of Waxahachie and Tracey and Ronnie Martens of Deer Park; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; brother, Clifton Wayne ""Jack"" Watson of Tenaha; sisters and brothers-in-law, Claudie Rae and Billy Wayne Hairgrove of Tyler and Bobbie Ruth and Dean Veatch of Shreveport, Louisiana; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Watson was preceded in death by his infant son, David Osborn Watson; son-in-law, Gary Todd Otto; daughter-in-law, Jeri Watson; great-granddaughter, Kelsey Emblem; brothers, Dewey Watson, Winton Watson and Billy Joe Watson; and sister, Burnett Boyer.
Pallbearers will be Derek Martens, Steven Shugart, Charles Shugart, Jason Watson, Ryan Watson, Adam Watson, Casey Otto and Jeffry Otto.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater East Texas Chapter, P.O. Box 630636, Nacogdoches, Texas 75963.
The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home in Huntington.
Carroway Funeral Home, Huntington, directors.