Doyle E. Watson, age 89, went to be with the Lord Friday, August 16, 2019 at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont, TX after suffering a stroke.
Doyle was born June 2, 1930 in Childress, TX to Reagan Watson and Iva McWithy Watson. He was the first born in his family. His family moved to Amarillo, TX where he graduated HS in 1948. He began his college career at Jacksonville Baptist College but soon moved to Texas A&M on a basketball scholarship for a year then went to East Texas Baptist College in Marshall where he met his wife, Shirley Hotard Watson. They married after he graduated on July 18, 1953. He graduated w/ a Bachelor of Science and was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his basketball career at ETBC. He received his MBA from Lamar University, as well.
He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and he was stationed in Fort Sill. He played basketball and baseball while serving the Army.
He was retired from Texaco Chemical in Port Neches, TX where he was the Employee’s Relations Manager. He took an early retirement at the age of 57 after working there for 26 years.
He served Neches Credit Union as the Treasurer and on the Supervisory Board from 1962 until 2017.
He was a member of FBC Nederland, TX where he was ordained as a deacon in 1970 and was faithful in that role. He served the church in many different roles such as Sunday School Superintendent, Finance Committee, Personnel Committee, and Pastor Search Teams.
Doyle was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wayne Watson, and two nephews.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Hotard Watson, his children: Melanie and her husband, Dr. Craig Woodard, Lori Viator, and Bradley and his wife, Lisa Watson, 8 Grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Fran Christian and other family members and many friends.
A celebration of his life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at FBC, Nederland, TX with Dr. Jason Burden and Rev. Bradley Watson officiating. The family will receive friends and family before the service, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Burial will be at Oak Bluff Cemetery, Port Neches, TX.
Memorials may be given to Harbor Hospice in Beaumont, TX or to FBC, Nederland, TX.