Recent Obituaries

Thomas “Tom” Leonard Watson passed away on October 21, 2024 in Federal Way, Washington surrounded by his family. Tom was born on September 14, 1949 in Lamar, Colorado to Roy L. Watson and Ruth Virginia Wright. His family moved from Kansas to Washington State when he was in grade school and he graduated from West Seattle High School. After High School he joined the Army and served two tours in Vietnam. After returning home he attended the University of Washington and graduated with a writing degree. He met his wife in college and they married in 1973 and have been married 51 years.

He hired on at Boeing in 1977. During his 30 year career at Boeing he wore many hats. Many of his superiors tapped into Tom’s writing skills. He became adept with computers and was the go to person for computer issues. He worked in Manufacturing Engineering, was an ME for Sheet Metal and worked with Lean Production Systems.

In the 1980’s he owned 20 acres in Monroe where he managed a farm after work. He raised geese, chickens, sheep and pigs. His work at Boeing eventually transferred to Federal Way and Auburn and the commute was unsustainable so he sold the farm and moved to Federal Way.

From 1994 to 2004 he managed a nonprofit alongside his wife that brought children to the United States for health respites from the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Over the years the group brought hundreds of children over. He developed a close relationship with the kids his family hosted.

After retiring from Boeing, Tom became involved in a national fish collecting group that has members all over the United States and a few members in other countries. He was an active member for 16 years. The group is called North American Native Fishes Association (NANFA) and he served as Treasurer, Washington State Representative, Membership Coordinator, all while also serving on the Board of Directors. The group also produces a quarterly magazine called American Currents. As one member wrote, “The job of Treasurer/Membership Coordinator is low-profile, but vitally important. People want their issues of American Currents and they need reminders when it is time to renew. Regional Reps need contact information. For years, Tom did all that cheerfully. And he did so much more, like making digitized copies of all back-issues available and helping to edit the magazine. He invested so much of himself just so casual members (which are most members) could have a great experience with the group. I was genuinely impressed with the care and attention to detail that he demonstrated consistently.” In 2022 he was honored as a NANFA fellow in appreciation for his many contributions to the Association. Tom participated in many of NANFA’s activities over the years—conventions, representations, adventures. The group would have yearly conventions in states across the US and he looked forward to attending them.

In recent years, he enjoyed traveling. He went to Costa Rica, London, Paris, Basil to Amsterdam, and Paris to Normandy. He hoped to go to Egypt or Italy next year.

Perhaps because of his interest in fish, he became interested in tying flies. He spent much of his spare time tying them or watching videos about how to tie new kinds. Whatever project he took on, he devoted all of himself to it. He was a man of many passions. A celebration of life is tentatively planned for January 18th. Details will be shared when finalized.

He is predeceased by his parents and his younger sister, Denise Penelope Kartes, who passed away in August. He is survived by his older brother Lee Wright Watson and his younger brother Lawrence Robert Watson, as well as his wife Lanita and his son Alexander.

A celebration of Tom’s life is planned for January 18th from 1-3 at Belmor Park 2101 So. 324th St. Federal Way, WA. 98003 in the Clubhouse to the right of the entrance.