Emmett Howard "Hank" Watson

Funeral services for Emmett Howard “Hank” Watson, age 79, of Rusk are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 9, 2015 in the First Baptist Church in Rusk with Rev. Lee Welch, Rev. Don Copeland, Rev. Jacob Fitzgerald and Rev. Donnie Barron officiating. Interment will be in Salem Cemetery under the direction of Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home. Mr. Watson passed away December 5, 2015 in Tyler, TX. He was born June 14, 1936 in Rusk to the late Emmett B. and Odelle Wilcox Watson. Mr. Watson attended Rusk High School and graduated from Jacksonville High School, attended Alvin Jr. College, Retail Credit Management School in Atlanta, Georgia and was a graduate of Southwest Graduate School of Banking at SMU, Dallas, TX. He began his banking career at First State Bank while a student at Rusk High School and worked for several banks throughout Texas before moving to Oklahoma where he worked sixteen years for Shamrock Bancshares as president of the First National Bank in Coalgate, OK. He served on the board of directors for Clayton State Bank, Bryan County National Bank, Mountain View National Bank and First National Bank of Coalgate. He retired in 2001 and returned to his home town of Rusk. Hank was a kind and gentle man with a great sense of humor. He loved his family, and was a trusted friend. He enjoyed working with the community theatres and performed in several productions. After retirement he enjoyed working a short time for the (KTLU) radio station as host of Talk Time. But his greatest enjoyment was his horses and trail riding. He loved the Lord and was a member of the Rusk First Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his two sons, Michael Howard Watson and Richard Kent Watson, his parents; grandparents; sister, Norma Jeanelle Barnes, and brother-in-law Jack Barnes. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jimmye Walters Watson of Rusk; two beloved daughters-in-law, Patsy Watson of Seabrook, TX and Pamela Watson of Channelview, TX; four grandchildren, Amanda Watson Hargrave, Richard Kent Watson II, Brooke Watson Massey and husband Kyle, and Meredith Watson; seven great grandchildren, David, Addison, and Courtlyn Findlay, Avarie and Emily Hargrave, Jaxon and Savannah Massey; niece, Sharon Barnes and two nephews, Clifford Barnes and Gary Barnes and wife Paula; four aunts, Lora Caperton, Lorraine Hardy; Jane Naski; and Vernene Odon and husband Bennie; a number of cousins and a host of friends. Pallbearers will include Jerry Pipes, Donnie Wilcox, Charles Wilcox, Glen Wilcox, Wayne Josey and Kenneth Arrington. Honorary pallbearers will be John Blank, Charles Ramey, Ernest Hudnall, Ed Hassell, David Cagnon, Jim Goforth, James Campbell, Ken Peloquin, Sam Florian, Doug Gowin, Dominic Taraborelli, Don Woodard, Ken Pye, JoEd Anderson and Tracy Max Arrington. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 1:45 p.m., Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at First Baptist Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials, donations be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 258, Rusk, TX 75785; or Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, PO Box 199300, Dallas, TX 75219-9842; or The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Boulevard, Tyler, TX 75701; or charity of your choice.

Emmett Howard "Hank" Watson

June 14, 1936 - December 5, 2015