Robert Lloyd "Bob" Watson

Born in Sugargrove, PA, Bob was predeceased by his father Harry Watson, beloved Mother and step-father Grace Bush Kerr and Homer Kerr, sister Frances Humes, brother Gary Watson, much-loved granddaughter Nicole Armstrong, and Step Daughter Deborah Louise Dodge. Survivors are the love of his life since 1982, Virginia "Ginna" Watson, his children Alan Watson (Jessica), OH, Palma Watson Ellis (Dr. Shannon), GA, Laurie Watson Spier, OH, step-son Dean Dill, Las Animas, CO. Surviving grandchildren are Jason Watson (Heidi), MI, Shannon Dukes, OH, Jesslyn Watson, OH, Nicholas Watson, AZ, Grace Ellis (Curtis), GA, and Justin Ellis, GA, step-grandchildren Joseph Thomas Dodge, AR and Alora Louise Dodge, AR, greatgrandchildren Emelia Watson, MI, Arlo DeFrank, GA, Robert Wireman, GA, Skyla Beal, OH, Katana Beal, OH, Shantae Dukes, OH, Antonio Dukes, OH, Mundo Dukes, OH, Domenick DeFrank, GA, Anthony DeFrank, (Toni), GA, Mikayla DeFrank, GA, and Mykalea DeFrank, GA. Robert L. Watson was a dedicated 32nd Degree Mason. On October 11, 2007, The Grand Lodge of the State of Arkansas, upon reviewing his outstanding service, concurred with the Congo #743 Lodge, to honor him with the most distinguished Pillars of Solomon Award for outstanding services. Bob was a member of and faithfully served God at the Saint Williams Catholic Church, Warren, OH. Bob's love of GOD was seen in his daily living. He was loved and respected by his neighbors, fellow employers, friends, family, and even people who did not know him well, knew him as an honorable, hardworking, friendly man who respected his fellow human beings and was ready and able to "lend a hand" to those who asked. He was known in our neighborhood as, "See Bob. He will help you; he will loan you the tools, he will help you use those tools." He was a hardworking man dedicated to America and the military. One of his joys in life was being a high school football star and homecoming king. He graduated from Cambridge Springs High School, PA, but did not stop his education at that point. He continued his education in various fields, enabling him to retire from the United States Air Force, and General Motors, Lordstown, OH. He had few friends but once you became his friend, you were a friend for life. Throughout his life, he called friends from elementary school, high school, friends from the military and friends from his childhood neighborhood to wish them a Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, or just to see how they were doing. Following high school graduation, he immediately joined the United States Marines and was sent to Paris Island, SC. In his heart and soul, Bob was a Marine until he died. Departing with an Honorable Discharge, he went to work for General Motors, Lordstown, OH, being the 113th person employed at that plant. He worked in Quality Control when the plant changed from producing cars to producing trucks. His responsibility was to order parts to arrive by rail only minutes before going on the production line, just in time to keep the line running. There was no warehouse; it was from the train to production. He had to keep the production lines running without delays to keep auto workers employed full-time. Bob returned to military service at the age of 42 by joining the Air Force Reserves as a C-130 Loadmaster. Retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant, he distinguished himself by meritorious service as a C-130 Loadmaster, 910th Operations Support Squadron, Youngstown Air Reserve Base, OH. He served in the Air Force Reserves from May 14,1977 - August 23,1994. He was awarded The Air Force Commendation Medal by the Department of the Air Force. The Citation refers to distinctive accomplishments reflecting credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. He logged in over 1,000 flying hours around the world on C-130 Hercules aircrafts. He was required, by age, to retire from the United States Air Force and General Motors on his 60th birthday, August 24, 1994. Even before being forced to retire at 60 years old Bob always found time for his church and his community. He coached Fast Pitch ball for a team of girls from fifteen to eighteen years old. His coaching skills and their Fast Pitch ability took the team to first place in Ohio. He took the team to New York for the National Finals. Retiring just did not fit his plans for the rest of his life. Facing day upon day of sitting at home, he decided to start doing some of the things he had always wanted to do but did not have time. He began by earning a Certification of Completion, at the DYNACRAFT CLUBMAKING INSTITUTE, Newark, OH on August 31, 1994. With this certification, he and Virginia (Ginna) opened and operated B & V Golf Clubs, Inc., building and repairing golf clubs. He dreamed of being a realtor. He refused to chase this dream without Virginia going with him so they attended Kent State University, OH and Realty One Real Estate, Cleveland, OH, and accomplished his goal of working as licensed Realtors®. Bob was a leading sales person and worked his and Virginia's required "floor" time. He quickly made friends with potential buyers and their children. (Who often called him Uncle Bob), while showing and selling homes. He did all the "people" work leaving closings to Virginia. He enjoyed working in Real Estate and was very successful. Bob sold the real estate while Virginia did the closing. He was an excellent Real Estate and "people" person. After moving to Arkansas, he decided to take classes at the Garland County Community College, as he had always enjoyed learning just for the sake of learning, but also insisted that Virginia attend too. Everything he wanted, he wanted them to do together. He was in the top of the class taught by Prof. Larry Williams. He insisted that Virginia do everything with him, EXCEPT, he wanted to parachute out of an airplane. He accomplished this by doing Tandem Skydiving with an experienced instructor. He went to Arkansas Air Sports, Morrilton Municipal Airport, Morrilton, AR to do the tandem jump when he was 82 years old. He was required to take training; free fall from about two miles above the earth then ride the parachute down. It was one of his most fun activities. He loved it as much as he thought he would. He was very proud of this accomplishment. Bob was a Notary Public, State of Arkansas. He was never going to sit at home "retired". He worked part-time for ten years at the Coronado Executive Golf Course, Hot Springs Village, AR servicing and repairing golf carts. He served on the Garland County, AR Sheriff Department Reserve Program, Hot Springs, AR for many years. His duties were to transport prisoners within Arkansas and to/from surrounding states and within AR. He was also hired by the United States Marshalls Service, Hot Springs, AR. His duties were to guard and transport prisoners, with Federal Marshalls, taking the prisoners for medical attention, prison, and/or Federal Court For more than ten years, he drove the Disabled American Veterans Van, logging in over 10,000 miles transporting veterans from Garland County, Hot Springs, AR to the Little Rock, AR Veterans Hospital and the Ft. Roots Veterans Hospital, North Little Rock, AR. After moving to Little Rock in 2017, Bob continued to stay busy. He built a fish pond in the back yard and nurtured the fish, built, planted and maintained a vegetable garden, and put a new roof on the house with the help of his son-in-law Shannon Ellis, and Granddaughter Mykalea. Never slowing down, he put in a new driveway at their retirement home, new picture widows, and brought the large lawn up to "his" standards, built a workshop in the backyard with help from son-in-law Shannon, grandsons Anthony and Domenick, bought an RV with sleeping capacity for 6 people, and returned to deer hunting at the age of 86. His last plan in life was that he and Virginia would take the month of November 2021 to visit relatives and friends in Georgia, Florida and Ohio. Bob was a man that wanted his wife and pets close to him at all times. To him, dogs were family too. His most loved German Shepherd, TARA, was ever by his side. He enjoyed RV traveling, fishing, golf, western movies, growing plants, gardening, and "just peddling", as he called it. He was a genius at developing new models of working tools that helped him in all his building, construction, gardening, lawn care and just "peddling". If he needed a certain tool and if such tool didn't exist, he developed a tool to fit the job. Bob will be greatly missed by Virginia, his extended family, and many friends and others who loved and respected him. You may honor Robert L. "Bob" Watson with a donation to FAITH FELLOWSHIP FOOD PANTRY, 3213 North Highway 7, Hot Springs, AR 71910. Burial and service at Veterans Cemetery, North Little Rock, Arkansas. Date to be announced.

Robert Lloyd "Bob" Watson

August 24, 1934 - October 11, 2021