Jerald Wayne Watson of Freeport IL, died Dec 18, 2020 at Presence Nursing Home.  He was 88 yrs old. He was born Feb 28, 1932 in Decatur, Illinois, to Wendel and Ethel Mae (Nottingham) Watson. He married Jacqueline June Pate in Decatur on Sept 10, 1950. He moved his family to Freeport in 1964. He leaves his wife, Jackie, one brother, Michael (of Decatur), and 3 children, Jerry Watson Jr. (Linda), Kathleen Aupperle (Geoff Eckert) and Jon (Laura), 6 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Peggy Green.

Our father grew up in Decatur IL and married Mom in 1950. He told stories of lots of different jobs like working in a cabinet factory, an ice factory, grocery stores, car dealerships, driving taxi, and even selling tamales on the street.  He brought his family to Freeport in 1964 with a sales position for MetLife. He was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge.  He was an enthusiastic Rotary member, and very involved in church activities throughout the 1970's with the Church of the Brethren and from 1980's-2010's with St. John United Church of Christ. He left MetLife and became an insurance broker in the 1980s and was proud of his CLU certification. In retirement, he and Mom enjoyed visiting family, hosting winter getaways by the Gulf Coast in Alabama, and watching grandkids and great grandkids (and pets) at home in Freeport.

Our Father was a quiet and honest and hard working person. These are the traits he modeled for his children. He never spoke ill of others. He was devoted to his family and community.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday May 26, 2021 at 11 AM, at the Schwarz Park Blvd Chapel, 608 S. Park Blvd in Freeport, IL, with Pastor Christina Singh officiating.