Ray Dean Watson
January 10, 1938-November 15, 2015

Ray Dean Watson, 77 of Lancaster, Missouri passed away on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri.

The son of Virgil Lee and Vica Mildred (Johnson) Watson, he was born on January 10, 1938 in rural Downing, Missouri. Ray was a high school graduate from Yarmouth, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Nina Kay Melvin on June 21, 1959 in Lancaster, Missouri and to this union three children were born, David Ray, Debra Kay and Jason Lee.

Survivors include his children, David Ray Watson and wife, Charlotte of Macon, Missouri, Debra Kay VerKuilen and husband, Jerry of Queen City, Missouri and Jason Lee Watson and wife, Laura of Lancaster, Missouri; twelve grandchildren, Jessica Watson of Republic, Missouri, Dustie Watson of LaPlata, Missouri, James W. and Jeremy W. Hann of St. Joseph, Missouri, Tyson Hatfield and wife, Amber of St. Louis, Missouri, Tara VerKuilen of St. Louis, Missouri, Morgan VerKuilen of Queen City, Missouri, Mitchell Watson of Lancaster, Missouri, Jordan Watson of LaPlata, Missouri, Dillon Watson of Lancaster, Missouri, Bo Ridgeway and wife, Katie of Litchfield, Illinois and Austin Ridgeway of Lancaster, Missouri; nine great grandchildren; one brother, Pearly Watson and wife, Evelyn of New London, Iowa; two sisters-in-law, Kay Melvin of Ottumwa, Iowa and Reta Holmes of Jackson, Missouri; nieces and nephews; a special friend, Jamasa; other family members and many many good friends.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nina Kay Watson on February 14, 2001; one brother-in-law, Johnnie Lee Melvin and sister-in-law, Janet Watson.

Ray was employed with the State Highway Department in Lancaster, Missouri from which he retired. Following his retirement, he worked for Jamasa at Lancaster Flowers and Buddy's as her right hand man doing various tasks!
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Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with Sonny Smyser, Pastor of the Schuyler County Church of Faith in Lancaster, Missouri officiating. Music will be a special CD selection of "Love Me". Pallbearers will be Tyson Hatfield, Bo Ridgeway, Mitchell Watson, Dalton Cooley, Jordan Watson, Austin Ridgeway and Dillon Watson. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 between the hours of 6-8:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri. Memorials have been established for the Arni Memorial Cemetery. Burial will be in the Arni Memorial Cemetery in Lancaster, Missouri. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.