Leon Watson

Raymond “Leon” Watson John 9:4 (NAS) 4 We must carry out the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. January 9, 1937 – January 26, 2024 Leon Watson went home to be with the Lord on January 26, 2024, at the age of 87. He was born on January 9, 1937, outside of Chico, Texas in Wise County to Oscar and Roxie Gladys Watson. The family spent his formative years near Crafton in Wise County and moved to the bustling metropolis of Chico when he was a teenager. Upon graduation from Chico High School, he volunteered to be drafted into the Army so he could explore the world. However, he didn’t make it very far and most of his time in the military was spent at Fort Polk, LA and Fort Hood, Texas. After completing his Army commitment, he worked in the Fort Worth Stockyards before starting off on his journey in education. He first spent a year at Texas Tech University and completed a semester at Decatur Baptist College (now known as Dallas Baptist University where his wife, Linda, and 3 of his grandchildren are alumni). He would go on to complete his bachelor’s degree at North Texas State University in Denton. Back in Chico he had met the love of his life, Linda Earls, and the two were married on April 21, 1962, in the parsonage at First Baptist Church in Chico. In 1963, he graduated from NTSU and was offered a job by Chico’s former school superintendent in the South Dallas town of DeSoto. His family moved there, and he began teaching 7th-grade math and had a side gig as a bus driver for the district. Throughout his career in DeSoto, he taught Junior High and High School Math. After getting his Master of Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, Leon became the Vice Principal at DeSoto High School. With 36 years of experience in education, he decided to retire in 1999 and devoted much of his time to his family and his much-loved garden. He was a faithful member of Hampton Road Baptist Church for six decades where he sang in the choir and served as deacon for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Gladys Watson, his sisters, Lois, Bonnie, Mary Ann, and his brother, Harold Wayne. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Linda Earls Watson, his sister Reba Nell Leake; his children: Laura Watson Smith (Steve); Stephen Watson (Anne). Grandchildren: Maegan Faulkner (Sean), Molly Griffith, Layne Watson, and Abbey Watson and his greatest joy, great-granddaughter, Elliott Grace Faulkner. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Hampton Road Baptist Church Benevolence Fund- 400 N. Hampton Road, De Soto, Texas, or funds to purchase New Testaments through Gideons International at Gideons.org. The family will receive friends on Saturday - February 03, 2024 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at Hampton Road Baptist Church, 400 N. Hampton Rd., DeSoto, TX with Funeral Services beginning at 11:00 A.M. (same day) with Rev. Kelly L. Wolverton, officiating. Interment will be held in the Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery, Lane 2, Dallas, TX on Tuesday - February 06, 2024 at 10:15 A.M.