Frank E. Watson, age 82, peacefully passed away at his home in San Diego on Saturday October 20, 2018 with his loving daughter and grandchildren at his side. Frank was born February 13, 1936 in Houston, Texas to James L. Watson Sr and Mary Etta McGuire Watson. His parents, brother, James L. Watson, Jr, sister-in-law, Dorothy Watson and wife, Velma "Louise" Thomas Watson, preceded him in death. Frank is survived by his children, Gregg and Karen Dey; grandchildren, Dallas Dey and Sommer Dey and a host of relatives and friends.
Frank was a native of Houston, Texas, born February 13, 1936 in Memorial Hospital. He attended Edison Middle School, where he was awarded The American Legion Certificate School Award, graduated Charles H. Milby Senior High School in 1954, where he was a baseball and basketball star athlete and Rice University in 1960, where he was played basketball. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Accounting and Economics in June 1960.
Enlisted in the US Army, Rank PFC E3 and served at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas from 1956-1958 when he was honorably discharged to return to college. Transferred to the US Army Reserves and completed his 6 year service obligation in 1962. Frank received (and kept) the letter mailed to him in 1960 from HEADQUARTERS regarding his blanket that was not turned in! Frank received an Honorable Discharge from the US Army in 1962.
He joined the Houston office of Deloitte Haskins and Sells in 1960, upon his graduation from Rice University. Since then, his thirty year career with DH&S, seventeen years as a partner, took him to six offices and a host of different assignments. in 1967, Frank was a member of the first cadre assigned to the Continuing Education group at EO. In 1972 he transferred to the Executive Office for Continental Europe in Brussels, where he consulted on accounting and reporting issues affecting such multinational clients as Dow Chemical, GM, Honeywell, Monsanto, Navistar, and P&G. And from 1978 to 1981, Frank served as the operating partner responsible for supervising worldwide services to GM and its subsidiaries - the assignment he considered the most challenging of his career. Frank was a firm-designated specialist in the oil and gas and public utilities industries. He served many of the most significant clients in these areas during his years in the Houston, New York, Detroit, Dallas and San Diego offices.
Frank married Louise Thomas in 1963 and was blessed with two children, one son, Gregg and one daughter, Karen. He has two grandchildren, Dallas Dey and Sommer Dey.
Upon retirement, Frank continued many of his interests. He began consulting and held the position of General Manager for Pima Insurance Premium Finance and Pima Federal Savings and Loan. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the La Jolla Chamber Music Society, Chairman of the finance committee of the Fairbanks Ranch HOA and Country Club. He was recognized for his 10 year service to SCORE, a nonprofit organization that provides free business mentoring services to prospective and established small business owners. He continued teaching, previously lectured in accounting at University of Houston and Rice University, Pace University (New York) and San Diego State University School of Accountancy as well as consulting. He enjoyed golfing, jogging and tennis, attending the arts (symphonies, plays, ballet and so much more rice music event).
Frank was a pillar of the community. He lived his life to the fullest and demonstrated a strong work ethic. He was constantly seeking the means for learning and self-improvement. He willingly shared his knowledge and experiences for the benefit of others. He touched many lives; family, friends, neighbors, classmates and co-workers. Everyone who knew Frank knew him as a well-respected, kind, gentleman who was a stable force for each life he touched. He will be missed.
The family will receive friends on Friday November 9, 2018 from 12:30 - 2 p.m. at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home. Services will follow, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m, at The Chapel of Angels and Interment will occur with military honors. The address for Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home is 6900 Lawndale Street Houston, TX 77023.
The family requests that fond memories be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Watson family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18