WATSON, Kenneth H.

The Verde Independent, Cottonwood, Arizona Saturday, May 11, 2013 Kenneth H. Watson 1914 - 2013 Witty, brilliant, devoted, and gentle - Kenneth H. Watson, my 99-year old amazing father passed away on May 7, 2013. He famously said he was “99 ½” year old and seemed determined to continue until his 100th birthday in November of this year. Instead, he chose peacefully to head onward. As a talented athlete, he golfed and bowled throughout his life. When he was 30 years old, he taught other U.S. Army Air Corps “newbies” how fast-pitch softball worked to vanquish the other team. Twice he had a hole-in-one on the golf course - when he was 75 years old and when he was 90 years old. Totally dedicated to teams from Arizona or the West Coast or the proverbial underdog, he taught me many things: how to be loyal…how to be generous to others…how to lighten the load for those in pain…when to edit and when to let go. Ken arrived in Prescott, Arizona, in 1919 at the age of 5 years and his recollections have been recorded by Sharlot Hall Museum. Also, his prodigious memories of his time in the Pacific Theater during World War II have been videotaped by the Veterans’ History Project and will be sent to the Library of Congress. Setting type from the time he could reach the case, he was a wordsmith, printer, and editor who expected excellence in everyone - and gave the world a demonstrative role model. Not a religious man, he would caution me not to dwell on heaven or the next realm. But he lived his life on this earthly plane with aplomb and grace and influenced countless lives with his loyalty and perseverance. And this poem was in his wallet: Life is a book of volumes three… Past, Present and yet to be. The Past is done and laid away. The Present we are living from day to day. The third in the book of volumes three… Is not yet seen, for God holds the key. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit www.hamptonfuneralhome.com to sign Ken’s guest book. Information provided by survivors.