James A. Watson, 91, of Leawood, Kan., formerly of Festus, died March 8, 2019, at his home. Mr. Watson was a retired business representative for Carpenters District Council St. Louis locals 2214 and 1795. He was a member of First Christian Church of Hematite and was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marine, serving in the Pacific. He served on the board of directors of Jefferson-Franklin Community Action from 1983 – 2014 and was on the board of directors for the Private Industry Council for Jefferson and Franklin counties. He was born May 12, 1927, in Ballard County, Ky., the son of the late Nancy (Brannon) and John Watson.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years: Carole (Buren) Watson; two children: Jennifer (Ben) Kirschbaum of Nipoma, Calif., and Judith (Darwin) Turley of St. Libory, Ill.; four grandchildren: Patrick Taylor of Chatham, Ill., Gregory Taylor of Dupo, Ill., Benjamin Taylor of St. Louis and Julie Geisbush of Merridian, Idaho; 11 great-grandchildren; two stepchildren: James Els of Hillsboro and Janis Tuck of Overland Park, Kan.
He was preceded in death by a son: James A Watson Jr.; six siblings: Edward Watson, Abraham Watson, William Watson, Cassie Cavanaugh, Elsie Birch and Louise Siebens; and a great-grandson: Steven Taylor.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 22, at the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks, officiated by Pastor Dan Batchelor.