Jack Thomsen Watterson, August 3, 1928 – January 8, 2015

Jack Thomsen Watterson, age 86, passed away peacefully at home Thursday, January 8, 2015. Jack was born August 3, 1928 in Ferron, Utah, to Charles Wayne and Pernellie Thompson Watterson. Jack was the second of five children. He had one brother, Charles, and three sisters, Evaleen, Donna and Barbara.

On June 19, 1953, he married the love of his life, Verna Martineau. To this union was born twelve children: James(Linda) Watterson, Jaclynne (Randy) Nelson, Mark (Jeanne) Watterson, Kathy (Gary) Miner, Diane (Will) Davis, Jay (Dee Dee) Watterson, Bill (Beth Ann) Watterson, Tamara (Jeff) Walston, Ruth Ann (Bo) Wareham, Ron Watterson, Kenny Watterson and Tom (Sue) Watterson.

Jack served in the military during the Korean Conflict in the Armed Services in Special Services, from 1952 to 1954.

Jack loved his family and loved spending time with them. Jack loved the desert and he and Verna spent many hours exploring. Jack and Verna were inseparable during the last 20 years of their 61 years together.

Jack’s first job was working on the signal gang on the railroad. During his working years, he worked a variety of jobs, from trucking to mining, and from farming to working as custodian at the Green River High School and John Wesley Powell Museum. He was always known to have a good work ethic and respected by those who worked with and for him.

He is survived by his wife, Verna, nine children, 37 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles; sisters Evaleen, Donna, and Barbara; three sons, James, Bill and Kenny; son-in-law Gary Miner; granddaughter Melissa Powell; and grandson Cole Watterson.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at the John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River, Utah. Interment followed the service at the Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Moab, Utah.

The family would like to thank those who have shown their love and compassion to us at this difficult time. We would especially like to acknowledge the hospice nurses, caregivers and home health aides for their kind and loving service.

You may send condolences to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.