Obituary of Noah Ronald Watson

Noah was born 9/28/1942 in Toledo, OH and passed away 11/21/2009 in his home surrounded by his family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife 45 years, Georgia; sons Andy and Ronnie; and numerous extended family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and special sister, Barbie. Graveside service to be held with military honors Friday, 11/27/09 @ 11AM @ Yelm Cemetery, 11540 Cemetery Rd SE, Yelm, WA? 98597 with reception to follow. Contact family for information on where donations in his memory can be made. Noah, also known as Ron, was born Sept. 28, 1942 to Noah Webster Watson and Hazel Hensley and the end of his life came Nov. 21, 2009 surrounded by his family. He is survived by hid wife, Georgia (Sias) Watson; sons, Andy & Ronnie; sister, Linda Warner; brothers, Jerry Watson & John Klempner and many nieces, nephews & cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his special sister, Barbie. During his lifetime he touched many people. He was a collector. He collected friends. If you knew Noah, he was your Friend. His insight gave him the uncanny ability to know a person from the inside. Noah lived the first part of his life in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, attending schools in those areas and graduating from Waite High School in Toledo, Ohio. In 1960 Noah enlisted in the U.S. Army. That experience would end up shaping the rest if his life. He served in several places in the U.S. including 4 months in Alaska and a year in Korea. After his discharge he went to work for the C & O Railroad in Ohio. During that time he met and married Georgia and they started their family of two sons, Andy & Ronnie. His family was his life. They moved back to Washington where he held a few jobs until he was hired at Olympia Brewing Co in Tumwater. He worked there for 30 years as a Foreman in the Brewhouse, retiring in 1997. Noah had many interests during those years which he always wanted to share with his family. He loved to golf and was a member of the Oly Brewery Golf League. He was a member of one of the Oly Brewery bowling teams for many years. He loved to hunt elk and deer. He and his family spent many vacations camping and RV'ing, going hunting, crabbing at the beach and just traveling. After he retired from his 'paying' job he joined the VFW in Olympia and started his 12 year career of volunteer service. He held many positions at Post #318 including being Commander. He did the same thing at the District #5 level including being Commander. During this time he became a member of the Military Order of the Cootie, which is the Honor Degree of the VFW. He held all positions at the PupTent level including being the Seam Squirrel. He went on to the Grand level and held all positions including Grand Commander. On the Supreme level he was awarded the honor of being Captain of the All Star Commanders. This is where is volunteer service really began to shine. Noah became a volunteer at American Lake VA Hospital in Tacoma helping veterans. He was a DAV driver, transporting veterans to and from their appointments and made many friends of these veterans. He had to cut back on his volunteering two years ago after his last surgeries left him legally blind. But still, he kept going; volunteering mostly with the Blind Rehab Center at American Lake VA. He was a student there a year ago and again 'collected' more friends During this time his illness was slowly becoming a burden on his body and kept him from doing what he loved to do. A week ago he had 2 tasks left to complete. After finishing those tasks his body decided he had done all it could do. Hospice gave him the ability to come home and be cared for by his family at the end of his life. He was surrounded by the love of his family.