Thomas Watson

Thomas P. Watson, 93, of Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.  Born August 1, 1928 in Cincinnati, OH, the son of Dwight B. and Elvira (Powers) Watson, the youngest of four children.  Thomas married Virginia Lee Shafer on July 30, 1949.  She predeceased him on November 13, 2017.

He is survived by his children, Kimberlee (Richard) Young of Noblesville, IN, Beth (Dave) Hugdahl of Rockford, IL and Bruce (Mary) Watson of Belvidere, IL; grandchildren, Ben, Maryn, Breah, Tessa, Molly and Brooke; and 13 great-grandchildren.  Also predeceased by his parents and siblings.

Tom graduated Withrow High School in 1947 and the Cincinnati Mortuary College in 1950.  He worked as a funeral director/embalmer for 50 years, most of those years employed by Vorhis Funeral Home.

Tom was an avid reader, making weekly trips to the library for his favorite genre:  History or any non-fiction.  He had a clever sense of humor and some of his practical jokes will live on as we continue to laugh and share those stories.  He remembered 3 songs from his youth he could still play on the piano, which he played for his family just a few weeks ago, to our great delight!   He loved interacting with his kids and later his grandkids, with camping, bicycling, traveling, fishing and most important, transmitting his values of hard work, high moral character, the value of education and love of the Lord.

Tom was active in his church and was a faithful prayer warrior.  He enjoyed volunteering at church, giving haircuts to the elderly or shut-ins, and as a volunteer Red Cross van driver.  He was a kind, gentle man whom his family adored.  He will be greatly missed, even as we take comfort in knowing he is spending eternity with the Lord.

Tom & Ginny moved from their lifelong city of Cincinnati to Rockford, IL in 2014 to be near their children and grandchildren.  They enjoyed 68 wonderful years of marriage before Ginny's passing in 2017.

Private family services were held on Monday, July 11, 2022 in Rose Hill Cemetery in Mason, Ohio.  Memorials may be made to Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State St., Rockford IL  61102, or to a charity of your choice.   To send a condolence or share a memory, visit olsonfh.com.