JC (John) Watson passed away peacefully on October 21, 2009, with his wife Lydia of nearly 65 years and his family all around him. We had the good fortune to be alongside him for all the months previous, but for the final weeks he always had family with him, some of the weekends, we all wanted to be in there at the same time. Granddaughter Yvonne, recently brought him a computer slideshow of a Hawaiian vacation. He loved it. Grandson Mark came daily on his way home from work. Grandson Anthony came just about all the time, stopping to pick up a any newly requested item for his grandfather.
Our greatest gift he gave us during that time was the precious stories he related of his childhood and which gave away too soon to his serving of his country in World War II and the Korean War, in the Navy. The stories were numerous; some we'd heard, but always there was a new detail that he recalled, so there were times we'd walk away with an even better perspective of his life. Some were amazing and hard to believe this was how a young person had to experience life and some were outright humorous. I believe most were in that vein, humorous. I do know that my Father knew how to get himself out of tight spots when it was necessary. It had to be his humor that saved him, many a time. I know that he loved talking and laughing with the people in his life. He truly had the 'gift of gab' as they say.
Always, while entering hospital rooms for procedures he would be charming the nurses...he knew many of them by name and apparently he left an impression on them because they all remembered him and often came out to chat. He always had them chuckling and sending a glance my way that seemed to say, 'oh, listen to this one will you'!....I recall one tall nurse looming over him; he silently accessed her and said, "you have perfume on, don't you?" (it was overpowering) She replied defensively in a monotone, "um, well yes I do....Well, what do you think it is?".... He thought about it and gave the perfect answer, 'well hon, it smells like we're in Paris"!
My father left the military after both wars he served in ended. He came home and worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He married my mother, Lydia in 1946. He and my mother bought their first home in 1951 in Santa Fe Springs, California. It was all orange groves back then. I recall many a treehouse I claptrapped together in all those trees. My sisters, Jeanette and Judy all played outside, all up and around the surrounding streets back then; it was another time, when children could roam freely and we did. It is in the same home that he spent his last days, again with his dedicated wife Lydia and all of his family gathered close.
JC was hired by the city of Santa Fe Springs, soon after and worked his way up to Supervisor of the Automotive Division of Public Works, retiring after 30 yrs. He & my mother spent the many years following going on monthly trips with their Alaskan Camping group in their beautiful truck & camper that magically could expand into a much larger vehicle. Dad & Mom followed that with a very beautiful motor home...they were proud of it and took many trips for many years. John had friends from the Santa Fe Springs City hall and my dad was very involved with his Senior Citizens groups and had many friends at the Betty Wilson Center, the Neighborhood Center, Fulton Wells and eventually spent nearly every weekday there, helping with the breakfast program and calling Bingo...he even called it in Spanish. He would stay for the lunch program, also assisting with that. One of my dad's & mother's loves then also was traveling on the bus junkets that took them to many exciting casino destinations, all the way to Las Vegas...they loved playing on the one-armed-bandit slot machines. Coincidentally, my dad used his Bingo winnings, which were many, to fund their fun getaways in the casinos. Let's just say they never needed to bring extra cash.
Prior to that, especially the earlier years, my father was a huge fishing enthusiast. If you ever saw the license plate frame, "wish I was fishing"...it suited my dad. He lived for the times he could back out of the driveway, with all his gear and even his own boat and motor, to a favorite fishing spot. His boat and motor were indeed prized possessions. We went on many family vacations as well; there were some adventurous trips to the mountains to stay in wonderful cabins and those included camping and fishing excursions out on Lake Cachuma, by Santa Barbara, a favorite lake of my parents. He had to be brave to take 3 little girls out there, fishing on a lake, Jeanette, Annette & Judy..we weren't crazy about baiting hooks or even touching the fish....My mom would stay behind at our campsite or cabin to begin preparing for the feast that was about to come that evening. We had so much fun and yes it was exciting when we actually started catching fish. He'd take them back and clean them and we'd have the official 'southern fish-fry' at our campsite. It was a great passion for him actually.
My father will be so missed by all of us, my Mother Lydia, his wife of nearly 65 years, myself Annette, sisters Jeanette and Judy..Grandchildren, Yvonne & Mark, Anthony & Raymond..Great grandchildren Desiree, Raeven, Grace, Brandon & Chelsea. I had the pleasure of staying home these last months and my sister and I were able to take all of his favorite foods and meals for both him and my mom. My sister spent evenings, mornings and her 3 day weekends there, spoiling both my mom and dad as much as we could. Dad was fastidious and requested his daily attire always be his button down shirts, slacks and suspenders, which he wanted pressed as well. His beautiful crown of silver hair immaculately combed. I know that we will never stop thinking of him on a daily basis. He will live in our hearts forever. Love eternal from his loving wife, Lydia, daughters Annette, Jeanette, and Judy
