Franklin N. Watson

Frank N. Watson, 71, of Dumas, passed away Sunday, September 16, 2018. The funeral service is scheduled for 2 o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, September 21, 2018 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Howe officiating assisted by Walt Olson. Interment will follow in Northlawn Memorial Gardens under the direction of Morrison Funeral Directors. Franklin Ney Watson was born on July 17, 1947 in Bynum, Texas to Ney Franklin and Ruby Mae (Waller) Watson. He graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1965 and attended Hill Junior College. On June 21, 1968 he was united in marriage to Judy Branscome in Hillsboro, Texas. The couple then moved to Stephenville, Texas where he received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Tarleton State College in 1969. Frank started his teaching career with Whitney ISD in Whitney, Texas and then began his vocational agriculture teaching career in 1970 with China Spring High School where he continued until 1979. In 1979, Frank moved his family to Dumas, Texas to begin his career in animal health pharmaceutical sales with Tufts and Son of Amarillo, Texas and then later with Brawley Cattle Supply of Dumas. In 1986 he continued his pharmaceutical sales career with Micro Beef Technologies of Amarillo, retiring in August of 2014 and known to many as 'Fair Frank the Feeder's Friend'. Frank was an avid amatuer calf roper who felt that calf roping and rodeoing was his lifestyle and not his hobby. Frank loved putting on calf ropings, 16 man tournaments, breakaway ropings and the occasional roping school at the Frank Watson Arena for 28 years with the last one being held in 2012. He always had a good working border collie by his side and a good calf horse. He continued to love the sport and support calf ropers of all ages until his death. He was a loving granddaddy who took great pride in watching his grandchildren in any and all of their activities. He was fun loving and always the life of the party. He was a lifelong teacher of 'Life' to everyone around him. This was exhibited by his yearly appearance as Santa Claus to help deliver gifts to needy children for the Dumas Noon Lions Club. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Dumas. On June 21, 2018 he celebrated 50 years of marriage to the love of his life by renewing their wedding vows at the The Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, NV. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Bonnie. He is survived by his wife, Judy of the home; daughters Kelly and husband Peyton Legg of Dumas, Kandi and husband Jared Dodson of Canadian, TX; grandchildren James and John Franklin Legg of Lubbock, TX and Kensie Dodson of Canyon, TX; sisters Sharon and husband Dick Dougherty of Arlington, TX, Barbara and husband Jim Dickinson of Luling, TX and brother Gary Watson and wife Debbie of Liberty Hill, TX. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Assadour Assadourian with the Cardiology Center of Amarillo for giving Frank 12 extra years with his family and friends. The family suggests with gratitude, that memorials be made to: First Baptist Church, PO Box 617, Dumas, TX 79029; Moore County Junior Livestock Association, PO Box 518, Dumas, TX 79029; Cowboy Classic Rodeo Association, PO Box 595, Dumas, TX 79029.