Richard Watson

Richard D. Watson Dick passed away peacefully in Hospice at Lake Park, November 8, 2008, after a three year battle with lymphoma. Dick was born January 6, 1926, in Defiance, OH to Howard and Donelda Cromley Watson. The family moved to Lima, where in 1941 he met the love of his life, Kay Niemeyer, at Central High School. During World War II Dick served 1944-1946 as a radio gunner in the US Army-Air Corps. After retuning from military duty Dick and Kay were married on June 22, 1947. They moved, with their four children, to Toledo in 1961. Dick was a 1949 Business graduate of The Ohio State University. He started his business career in sales with Sealtest Dairy in Lima and joined McGranahan Distributing Company in 1953 as a salesman. Dick became a Regional Sales Manager for McGranahans Toledo office in 1961. During his tenure, McGranahans controlled the market share of regional distribution of Zenith electronics, and became a premier distributor for Westinghouse appliances, and Armstrong flooring. He retired in 1980 as President and CEO. Dick was a past board member of Sylvania Country Club and the Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a past member of Rotary Club, Toledo Club, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association AOPA, Ohio Senior Golf Association, and Great Lakes Senior Golf Association. He was a longtime member of the Inverness Club, and the American Legion Post 335. Dick was a loving and proud father who was exceptionally generous in supporting the hobbies of his children, grandchildren, and friends, especially horses for his daughters. During his nearly thirty years of retirement, Dick and Kay immensely enjoyed watching the accomplishments of their many grandchildren in academics, business, singing, theater, and sports especially Ottawa Hills baseball. He was a lifelong member of the Ohio State University Alumni Association and an avid fan of the football team. His passions, besides his lovely wife Kay and their children, were flying and golf. He got the flying bug in the military and over a 20 year period owned and flew two different single-engine aircraft that he enjoyed immensely. A true student of the game of golf, Dick spent the last 70 years perfecting his grip and swing. He enjoyed the camaraderie of the game where he made many good friends and played as recently as several weeks before his passing. Nothing pleased him more than spending the afternoon with his sons-in-law and grandchildren at the golf course. Always the competitor, he supplemented his retirement by draining fifteen foot putts to win matches and dollar bets from those unfortunate family members who didnt share his first name. An accomplished golfer, his most notable match was teaming up with Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller at Inverness Club for the 1975 American Cancer Society Golf Exhibition. Dick was proceeded in death by his brother, Robert and daughter, Nanci David Effler. He is also survived by his sister, Mary; brother, James as well as his loving wife, Kay; son, Rick Deb Watson and daughters, Kathi Charles France, and Beth John Gunnett; grandchildren, Aric, Michael Manon, Betsey Jeremy, Amanda Watson; DJ, Devon, Richard Ally, Timothy, Daniel, Kelly, and Andrew Effler; Adrian, Logan, and CJ France; Lindsay and Michael Masters. A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd. 419 841-2422. A private graveside service will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Defiance, OH. In lieu of flowers, those planning a memorial tribute are asked to consider Ottawa Hills Schools, Nanci Kay Effler Scholarship Fund.