Tommy T Watson

Tommy Thornton Watson was born on December 8, 1945 in Picher, Oklahoma to Paul and Leona Craig Watson. He was raised in Picher, Cardin and Miami, OK where he graduated from Miami High School in 1964. Tommy was saved at the age of 9 at Cardin Baptist Church. Janis and Tommy went to school together, dated and married on June 23, 1966 at the First Baptist Church in Miami. They were married almost 50 years. They had two sons, Chad (Jennifer) and Scott (Heather) Watson. Tom coached them in many different sports.

Tommy served in the US Air Force from February 1966 to February 1970. He was Staff Sargeant and served in Vietnam. He worked on C130 airplanes and even brought home deceased veterans on the "Angel Wings". He was very proud of his service! Tommy received the Good Conduct and Marksmanship awards. Shortly upon leaving the AF they moved to 1410 New Haven Street in Grand Prairie, next door to one of his best friends, Jim Wilson. He and Jim were avid hunters.

The family attended Inglewood Baptist Church. There Tommy led the Men's Ministry and became an

Ambassador/leader for the National Organization of Promise Keepers. He loved to recruit men to join their efforts.

He graduated in 1983 from General Motors University of Automotive Management. Tommy worked for many years with Graff Chevrolet in Grand Prairie.

Tommy was mentored by Rev Harold Hartley, Dr JR Chaney and Rev JD Stewart. He was called into the ministry in 1995 and ordained in April, 1998. He became Associate Pastor at Westridge Baptist Church. Tommy was called in 2011 as Pastor of Bowles Baptist Church. During his tenure at Bowles he served the community as Crisis Chaplain Responder for the City of Grand Prairie, a past Master of the Thomas B Hunter Masonic Lodge and was also awarded the Paul Harris Fellow from the Grand Prairie Rotary Club.

Tommy retired from Bowles in 2018 and was given the honor as Pastor Tom Watson Day by the Mayor Ron Jenson on May 27, 2018 for his years of service and dedication to the city of Grand Prairie.

Tommy married Vicki Coplien Olmstead on August 12, 2017. He became a beloved part of a huge family — Papa Tom. They bought a pontoon boat where Tommy LOVED to fish out on Joe Poole Lake, pier B. Did we mention that he loved to fish! They resided in Grand Prairie until they sold the house to grandson, Justin Watson in 2021. They traveled a lot in their fifth wheel to OK, MO and south TX. They came to reside in Lewisville and joined Temple Baptist Church, where they had been married.

Tommy passed peacefully at home surrounded by family as he entered the gates of heaven. He is survived by his wife, sons, bonus children, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and many other loved relatives. He is preceded in death by his wife (Janis), parents (Paul & Leona Watson), brother (Jimmy Zinn), Maxine Watson and Ray Paul Heatherly.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Temple Baptist Church - Women's Missionary Circle.