Jack Elmer Watson

Jack Elmer Watson, of Ione, CA, passed away at the age of 88 on Saturday, October 13, 2018. He was born in Ione, CA to Velda (Wood) and Jake Watson on May 2, 1930. Jack lived in Ione his entire life. His first job was at the young age of seventeen, driving the milk truck for Daily Dairy in Jackson. He then joined the Ione Volunteer Fire Department at nineteen, and in 1999 after fifty years of service, he retired as Captain. During this time, he was also a foreman for Amador County road construction. Most of his work was in Ione, and when he retired in 1984, he immediately went to work for Kreth Inc. for fifteen years, retiring in 1999 (for real this time). The love of his life, Barbara, worked at Waltzes Café in Ione, where they met and dated for a year. The couple was married on August 3, 1963 in Ione, and she passed away in 2011 after forty-seven years of marriage. Jack remained cemented in his community, and every morning he’d have coffee with the boys at Chevron. He always looked forward to his camping and hunting trips to Oregon every year during deer season with his brother Harry and their sons. He is survived by his daughter, Marlene (Mike) Millington, of Ione, CA; son, Bill (Karen) Watson, of Donnelly, ID; brothers, Hubert (Lois) Watson and Harry (Wanda) Watson, both of Ione, CA; grandchildren, Garrett Millington, Ryan (Jennifer) Millington, Jerod (Lacey) Watson, and Cody (Bethany) Watson; great grandchildren, Shanel (Jeff), Paige, Preston, Mason, Colton, Bowen, Macy, Maverick, and Cash; and great-great grandchildren, Alice, Elena and Jeff. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Elbert Watson and David Watson; sister, Shirley Finch; and his beloved wife, Barbara. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a future date. Contributions in his name may be made to Alzheimer’s Treatment and Research, 640 Jackson Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101.