| Sources |
- [S73] Rawlings Funeral Home, Book 2, 23 Nov 1984.
Lynn Rawlings obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 22 Jan 2009.
James N. "Jim" Watson, born October 7, 1916, in Jacksonville, Florida, son of William Lee and Vivian Watson, died December 26, 2008.
Graduated Robert E. Lee High School and University of Florida. Commissioned 2nd Lt. ROTC, 1940. Served 48 months in the Pacific during WWII with the 246 FA Bn. AMERICAL Division and in the occupation of Japan. Graduate of the U.S. Army Logistics Management Center, Ft. Lee, Virginia; the Guided Missile School, Ft. Bliss, Texas; the Field Artillery School, Ft. Bragg, NC; the Field Artillery College at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; the Command and Staff School of the U.S. Army at Leavenworth, Kansas. He retired from the Army Reserve as Lt. Col.
Jim was well known throughout this area and the State of Florida for his many accomplishments in the field of agriculture. Served with the Agricultural Extension Service of the University of Florida in Santa Rosa, Lake and Columbia Counties before being appointed in 1952 as the third Duval County Agricultural Director, following in the footsteps of his father who was the first to hold that position. Hosted the TV show "Hi Neighbor" on Channel 12 for over 20 years, which won the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, The George Washington Honor Medal Award.
After his retirement he hosted the show, "Down to Earth with Jim Watson" on WJCT, Channel Seven for 14 years. Was Horticulture Editor for the Jacksonville Journal and the Florida Times Union, consultant for the Ace Hardware group in SE Georgia and NE Florida, President of the Jacksonville Kiwanis Club, Kiwanis District IV Governor, assisted in the organization of the Greater Jacksonville Agriculture Fair and served as President for 5 years. Inducted in the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame and the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame. Recipient of the 2004 Florida Farm Bureau Federation Distinguish Service Award.
Many University of Florida Scholarships have been established in his name. Member of Avondale United Methodist Church, Life member of the Men's Garden Club of Jacksonville.
Predeceased by his first wife, Josephine Rawlings Watson, his sisters, Myra Scott and Emmaline Elizabeth Chapin. Survived by his wife, Mary Katherine, sons, James N. Watson, Jr. and his wife, Angie, William Lynn Watson, and Mary Katherine's son, Robert C. Ruffin, Jr. and three grandchildren, Porter, son of Jim and Angie, and Sarah Watson Butler and William Lynn Watson , Jr., daughter and son of Lynn and Vicki Watson, sister, Wilma Dantin of Windermere, FL.
A memorial funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, at Avondale United Methodist Church (1651 Talbot Ave.) Jacksonville, FL 32205.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Edgewood Funeral Home, 729 S. Edgewood Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32205.
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1916 - 2008 (92 years)