Robert Thomas Watson

Robert Watson, 88, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the Kirksville Manor Care in Kirksville, MO, on Monday, September 5, 2016. He had been a resident there for a little over two years.

Robert Thomas Watson was born in Lineville, IA, on June 14, 1928, the son of Thomas Melvin and Reva Pearl (Rollins) Watson, who preceded him in death. He attended rural school until the eighth grade and then went to work with his grandfather on the rail road. Robert joined the US Army in 1954 and served his country in Panama. He was honorably discharged in 1956. Robert returned to Missouri and engaged in farming. He married Delores Little in Centerville, IA, on March 27, 1959, and she preceded him in death on March 8, 2014.

Robert and Delores were engaged in farming for many years, especially in the dairy business. Robert also worked off the farm at MoDean Radiator in Trenton and Massey Ferguson in Chillicothe. In the 1980’s he worked at Maytag Dairy in Newton, IA, while maintaining his farm in Newtown, MO. Robert and Delores moved from Newtown to Kirksville, MO, in 1990, and Robert worked in lawn care at the Kirksville Country Club, as a dispatcher and jailer for Adair County Sheriff, and for J. Burdman auto parts. They moved back to a small acreage north of Unionville in 2000 where Robert enjoyed buying and raising a few calves every year. He enjoyed family get togethers on Sunday and was member of West Liberty Baptist Church.

Robert is survived by four sons, Dennis (Lea) Watson of Aubrey, TX, Thomas (Candy) Watson of Millerton, IA, Donald (Tammy) Watson of Unionville, MO, and Tim (Kim) Watson of Brashear, MO; and by a daughter, Trudy Wade of Kansas City, MO. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, as well as a sister, Twyla Cobb of Davenport, IA.

In addition to this wife and parents, Robert was preceded in death by three sisters, Opal Summers, Marybelle Moody, and Tina Watson, and by a brother, Donald Watson.

Funeral services for Robert Watson will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 10, 2016, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Newtown Cemetery, Newtown, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the family and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.