Obit of Richard "Dick" B. Watson

CHATSWORTH — Richard “Dick” Burnell Watson, 71, Visalia, Calif. passed away peacefully Friday (April 26, 2013) with his family by his side in Danville, Calif.
He was born Dec. 13, 1941, in Chats-worth, the son of Burnell and Ruth Watson.
Dick grew up in a family of five children in the small town of Chatsworth. He earned his civil engineering degree at the University of Illinois in 1965. After graduation, he moved to California where he met his sweetheart, Marilyn Easter. They were married in Santa Maria, Calif., on June 22, 1968, and moved to Visalia where they raised three children. He worked for W.M. Lyles Co. for 37 years, loved his work, and enjoyed the people with whom he worked.
Dick had an infectious zest for life and he never missed a chance to joke. He dearly loved his family, grandchildren and friends, and he had a knack for making everyone around him feel good about themselves. He recently celebrated his 50th year as a private pilot. He had a lifelong passion for trains and was an avid golfer. In his retirement, Dick and Marilyn enjoyed traveling with family and friends and visiting grandchildren.
Dick was an active member of the Visalia community through the years. He was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Visalia and was active in the Visalia Rotary Club, Visalia YMCA, the Tulare County Library Foundation, the Santa Teresita Youth Community Center in Three Rivers and numerous other organizations. He was also a member of the AOPA pilot association and the American Rail Car Association.
He is survived by his loving wife and partner, Marilyn Watson; their three children and spouses, Kim and Rob Hensley, Kevin and Julie Watson and Debbie and Scott Rumsey. He has seven grandchildren who adore him, Ellie, Maggie and Jake Hensley; Grant and Lauren Watson; and Nate and Katie Rumsey. He is also survived by his siblings, Pat Haskins, Ruth Bazzell, Cletus Watson and Theresa Watson; numerous nieces and nephews; and more than a few golf buddies.
His funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Visalia, Calif., with interment following at Visalia District Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Visalia Community Rotary Foundation, 1220 W. Center Ave., Visalia, CA 93291; Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center, P.O. Box 249, Three Rivers, CA 93271; or Tulare County Library Foundation, 200 W. Oak Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291. Arrangements are entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia, Calif.
Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.