Lee Ray Watson Sr.

Mr. Lee Ray Watson Sr. Mr. Lee Ray Watson Sr., 67, of Nowata, died at 3:43 P.M. on Monday, October 13, 2014 at the Jane Phillips Medical Center. Services for Mr. Watson will be held at 12 Noon on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma with Pastor JoAnn Thompson of God’s Gathering Place in Bartlesville officiating and with military rites accorded at the graveside. Services and cremation are under the direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home and Crematory. Friends who wish may sign the memorial register book at the Stumpff Funeral Home in Bartlesville or at the Stumpff-Nowata Funeral Home. Also friends who wish may sign the online guest book and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org. Mr. Watson was born at Ada, Oklahoma on February 5, 1947 to Lois Mae (Tennell) and Clifford Lloyd Watson. He grew up and received his education in various locations until the family settled at Nowata, Oklahoma where he graduated from Nowata High School in 1965. He attended Okmulgee Tech where he received his degree as a mechanic in 1967. He entered the United States Navy on February 13, 1968 and served three tours of duty during the Viet Nam Conflict and received his Honorable Discharge on April 20, 1973. He was married to Carol Gail Stewart on October 3, 1970 in Reno, Nevada. They made their home at Vallejo, California during Mr. Watson’s military service until 1973 when they returned to Oklahoma and made their homes in Nowata and the surrounding area. Mr. Watson was employed as a driver with KC Asphalt and later with Bartlesville Redi-Mix first as a driver and then as a diesel mechanic until his retirement due to ill health in 1996. He loved to keep a garden, go fishing and spend time with his family. Mr. Watson is survived by his wife Carol G. Watson of Nowata, one daughter, Katherine Gail Loveland and husband Eric of Brownsburg, Indiana, three sons, Lee Ray Watson Jr. of Bartlesville, Kevin Todd Watson and wife Jamie of Bartlesville, and Kenneth Dale Watson of Nowata, four sisters, JoAnn Tevebaugh and husband Curt of Copan, Carol Swepston and husband Gary of Dewey, Sharon McKee and husband Dennis of Nowata and Linda Huston and husband John of Coffeyville, Kansas, seven brothers, Jimmy Don Watson of Afton, Okla.., Bill Watson of Missouri, Wayne Watson and wife Teresa of Nowata, Jerry Dale Watson of Arkansas, Allen Watson and wife Gina of Missouri, Dean Watson and wife Melissa of Copan, Michael Watson and wife Donna of Dewey, three grandchildren, Jonathan Eric Loveland, Wyatt Todd Watson and Madison Leigh Loveland, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Robert, Tommy and Clifford Wayne Watson, a sister, Alice Watson, one son, Jeffrey Watson, a nephew, Jodi Swepston and a daughter-in-law, Alicia Watson. In lieu of flowers those who wish may make contributions to the charity of the donor’s choice. PDF Printable Version

Lee Ray Watson Sr.

February 5, 1947 - October 13, 2014