Verle "Doc" James Watson

Verle “Doc” Watson, age 97, of Willmar, died Thursday, May 6, 2021, at Bethesda Club Suites in Willmar of natural causes.

A private family memorial service will be held.  Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar, www.hafh.org.

Verle James “Doc” Watson was born April  18, 1924, in Mitchell, South Dakota, to James and Lenora (Zundel) Watson.  When he was 3 years old, the family moved to Parkington, WY.  In 1930, they moved to the New London, MN area, where Doc attended school.  In 1944, he joined the U.S. Navy and served for 2 ½ years during World War II.  He joined the Reserves in 1949 and was called back to duty in 1950, serving another 2 years during the Korean War.

In 1954, Doc moved to southern California and accepted a position as a service technician for Sears.  On June 18, 1959, he married Elaine (Ayotte) Ortenblad and adopted her three boys: Craig, Ronald, and Douglas.  They lived in Redondo Beach, CA until 1974, when they moved to Burnsville, MN and later Minnetonka, MN.  Doc worked for 32 years for Sears in California and Minneapolis.  He retired in April 1986, and they moved to Willmar, MN.

Doc was a social, active man who enjoyed helping people and volunteered for the majority of his life.  He was especially active with the Food Shelf and Bloodmobile.  He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and served on the Willmar Senior Citizens Board.  He also was a Sunday School teacher and served on several boards, while attending the Church of God.  He attended First Covenant Church for the past several years.  Doc enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, traveling, and deer hunting.   He will be remembered as a giving person, a great family man, and a loving father.

He is survived by a son: Doug (and Geralyn) Watson of Alexandria, MN; daughters-in-law: Cathy Watson of Willmar, MN and Michelle Watson of Villages, FL; grandchildren: Tarrah (and Mike) Cornelia of Rio Rancho, NM, Kristal (and Ben) Bomstad of Alexandria, MN, Scott (and Laura) Watson of Rochester, NY, and Matthew (and Kelly) Watson of Santa Rosa, FL,; granddaughter-in-law: Jennifer Watson of New London, MN; and twelve great-grandchildren: Jade, jasmine, Dayne, Micah, Parker, Tia, Elizabeth, Ethan, Kayla, Jack, Kelsey, and Kylie.

Doc was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Elaine in 2016; sons: Craig in 2015 and Ron in 2019; a grandson, Mike Watson in 2019; brothers: Mervin and Donald; and sisters: Arlene and Jeannie.

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