Vernon Watson

Vernon Clifford Watson was born March 29, 1923 to Quinn and Millie (Hughes) Watson in Elkton, KY. At a young age Vernon and his family moved to Mott, ND. He attended country school in Mott and in 1944 was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in the European Theater. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Vernon met LaVonne while he was working at the Spring Valley Iron Mines. They were married on November 10, 1951 in Butterfield. Following their marriage they moved to Mott, ND where they resided until 1953 when they made the move back to Minnesota where he worked for several different farmers. In 1960 the opened the pool hall in Ormsby, MN which they operated until 1977. In 1977 they moved to St. James and Vernon went to work for St. James Public Schools working as a custodian until his retirement in 1988. Vernon was a member of the St. James American Legion and the Butterfield VFW and served in the honor guard for both organizations. He enjoyed playing cards, gardening, spending time with his grandchildren and playing practical jokes. Vernon is survived by his wife, LaVonne of St. James; three sons, Terry Cub Watson and wife Carol of St. James, Lonny Watson and wife Bonnie of Ormsby, and Lynn Watson and wife Brenda of St. James; one daughter, Jana Falk and husband Todd of St. James; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Henry Watson of Mott, ND; one sister, Eulalia Wilson and husband George of Bradenton, FL; and one sister-in-law, Juanita Watson. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Martin Watson; one sister, Gunda Pudwill; and one grandson, Matthew.