Edgar Lewis Watson

Edgar Lewis Watson

Edgar Watson Obituary

Published by Daily Progress from Dec. 22 to Dec. 29, 2008.
Edgar Lewis Watson

Edgar Lewis Watson of Keswick, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 20, 2008, surrounded by his family.

He was born on April 4, 1927, in Barboursville, Virginia, the son of the late Robert Lewis and Hattie Lee Gibson Watson.

Eddie was preceded in death by daughters, Jacqueline Watson Barnette and Tracie Elain Watson; grandson, Nathan Barnette; and sisters, Amanda Lawson and Ellen Eubank.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Shirley Redmon Watson; daughter, Susan Sexton and her husband, Mark, of Charlottesville, and their children, Anne, Claire (Everett) and her husband, Cory, and Frank; daughter, Annette Binney and her husband, Blair, of Malboro, New York, and their children, Sydney (Taylor) and her husband, Matthew, Bruce, Eliza, and Madeline; son-in-law, Kim Barnette of Pasadena, Maryland, and his children, Melissa (Davis) and her son, Drew, Shannon (Phillips) and her husband, Steven, and daughter Skyler, and granddaughters, Karlee and Emily; daughter, Sherri Minor and her husband, Scott, of Scottsville, and their sons, Clark and Jack; son, David Lewis Watson and his wife, Melanie, of Keswick, and daughters, Leah and Dara, and their son, Jacob.



He is also survived by two sisters, Comora Herndon and Gertrude Roberts; brothers-in-law, Bill Roberts and Mark Eubank; numerous nieces and nephews; and countless special friends inside and outside of the equine community.

Eddie loved his family dearly, never balking after a long day to go for a ride or take in a round of golf with his wife and children, and later to spend time with his grandchildren. He loved sports, particularly baseball and golf. He was a colorful storyteller and took great joy in sparking a smile.

He was a professional horseman and farm manager, and ultimately made his living as a self-employed farrier, a trade he lovingly passed on to his son. He liked to claim that his profession was also his hobby. He enjoyed creating ornamental ironwork and the results of these artistic blacksmithing endeavors can be found throughout the homes of family and friends. He worked until cancer treatments took his strength, but although he couldn't lift a hammer, he still avidly shared his knowledge and experience with his colleagues.

He was an active member of the American Farrier's Associate, the Artists-Blacksmith's Association of North America, and the Virginia Horseshoers Association where he loved to take part in teaching clinics. He always said he gained as much knowledge as he passed on. He was honored to be a recipient of the AFA Humanitarian Award, and to be inducted into the Anvil 21 Club and the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame.

The Watson Family cannot adequately express their gratitude for the exceptional care Eddie received from Dr. Gordon Morris and his staff, along with the wonderful staff of the VAscular/ Interventional Department at Martha Jefferson Hospital; the parking attendants at Martha Jefferson Hospital who always cheerfully helped Eddie and Shirley; and Beth, Theresa, and Lara from Hospice of the Piedmont.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2009, at the Preddy Funeral Home, Gordonsville, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Cancer Care Center of Martha Jefferson Hospital, Hospice of the Piedmont, or the American Heart Association.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.

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January 4, 2009

Greg Chance posted to the memorial.

January 2, 2009

Patrick Reilly posted to the memorial.

January 1, 2009

Mike Chaffin (farrier) posted to the memorial.

Greg Chance

January 4, 2009

The Watson Family:

Please accept our condolences, Eddie was a great and giving man and a true legend in everyone's mind. He will be missed by all.

Patrick Reilly

January 2, 2009

Respected by all, who could ask for a better legacy? Thank you Eddie for all of your contributions to the farrier industry.

Mike Chaffin (farrier)

January 1, 2009

To the Watson family:
Unfortunately I did not have the pleasure of knowing Mr. Watson personally, but I know the industry which I love is better because of his lifetime of contributions. My prayers are with you during this difficult time.

David Farley

January 1, 2009

The Watson family, how honered we are, that experienced Eddie Watson and all of you! I treasure the travels I had with him. We will always be here for you. Your friends,
David ,Karen, Jay and Rick Farley

Sandy and Joe Johnson

December 31, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time...Eddie was a wonderful, kind man. We will miss him.
Joe and Sandy

Dan Burke

December 30, 2008

To the Watson family we offer our deepest sympathies for your loss. I think everyone that has known the Watsons has felt the strength and determination that Eddie showed in everything he did- and we can be inspired by the difference he made in so many lives.
Dan and Linda

Valerie Hughes

December 29, 2008

Dear Sherri and David-

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Doris Yates

December 29, 2008

Our Dear Watson Family,
Yes, I say Family because we are just like Family. Eddie was truly a wonderful family man and will be missed by all. Remember he is in no more pain and smiling down on us. He has gone to wait for us to one day be with him again. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Much Love,
Doris Yates and the Family

Jeanette M. Powell

December 29, 2008

Susan & Family. Sorry to hear of your Father's death.I will always remember how sweet and good you were with my mother & Father. I will keep you all in my prayers & thought.Stop by sometimes if I can do anything for you or just talk.

ginny wardell

December 28, 2008

Annette, Susan and Sherri and your families, I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss. I'll keep you all in my prayers during this time. Most fondly,

Bev Slaughter

December 28, 2008

My condolence to the family and friends in the loss of a man I admired. Eddie you have gone to a place where the horses don't kick and the balls stay in the fairway my friend!!!
Rest in peace old timer!!!

Harold & Kathleen Blake

December 26, 2008

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.

Cyndi K. Shreve

December 26, 2008

David and Family,
Very sorry to hear of the loss of your father,My prayers and thoughts are with you and know that God has him in his Loving Arms and will comfort you all.
Love a Freind,
Cyndi Kirby Shreve and Family

James Hearns

December 24, 2008

Dear Watson Family
I am truely sorry to hear of your loss.
May GOD bless and confort you'll at this most difficult time.

Barbra Graff

December 24, 2008

Shirley, Sherri, David, and everyone...I was honored to meet Eddie and all of you in my years working on Lord Hardwicke's. I have memories of Manhattan's, great jokes, and of course, a smooch! there is no doubt that anyone who met Eddie remembers him and smiles. My thoughts and prayers and hugs are with you all at this time and I know that Daddy will always be smiling down on all of you. God Bless,

B Graff

Sharon Arbour

December 24, 2008

Shirley and family you are in our thoughts and prayers so sorry for your loss I know he will be missed by all that knew him. I will always treasure the things he made for us and am sure the family feels the same. We send our love Sharon and family

FLO & HARRY

December 23, 2008

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Sydney Keith

December 23, 2008

Shirley, David and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Eddie was a remarkable horseman and friend, well loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be greatly missed!

E.T. & Barbara Price

December 23, 2008

Mrs. Watson & family,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Susan Coiner Rooke

December 23, 2008

Sherri and Family - I am so sorry about the loss of your dad - it was one of the hardest times of my life but it does get easier over time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Love

Barbara B. Tucker

December 23, 2008

Dear Shirley and family,

We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time.

Barbara and Everette Tucker (OrangeO

Beth Sutton

December 23, 2008

To Eddies family, from our family, we are so sorry for the loss of our wonderful friend and incomparable farrier,and horseman. I feel so lucky that I knew him and privileged that he was part of my best experience with people and good friends. We will miss him so much, and the stories he told us we'll pass along to our kids.

David Kaschel

December 23, 2008

We will miss Eddie making things look so easy.

December 23, 2008

We are so very sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you. Langden, Scarlett, Leslie and Aaron

Fran Jurga

December 22, 2008

Over the years, people would often say to me, "I just met the nicest man..." When I told them they had just met a legend, they would shake their heads and say, "But he was so nice to me..."

It's rare when talent and character are so richly concentrated in one person. How wonderful that he could have touched so many lives, helped so many horses, and influenced so many farriers to improve themselves.

I am so glad I knew him, and I will never forget him.

I'm thinking of you, Shirley and David, and everyone else in the family.

David Johnson

December 22, 2008

Dear Watson family
Iam sorry to hear the loss of your Husband and your Father Eddie. Eddie will be greatly missed. David if i can do anything for you or your family please feel free to call me. My God Bless each of you during your time of sorrow.

Dale Haas

December 22, 2008

Dearest Shirley and Family. I can't convey how sorry we were to hear of Eddie's passing. I feel especially blessed to have been able to get to know him and to be his friend over the past 30 years. I will always cherish our times together and his warm and caring friendship. He was in many ways my hero, the consummate gentleman and family man whom no one could go wrong by trying to emulate. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love Dale & Teresa Haas,
Aiken, SC

Paul and Wendy Mathews

December 22, 2008

Shirley, David and family - with great sorrow we acknowledge that Eddie has left us. There was never a more gentle soul. Our thoughts are with you at this time.

Pam Thomas

December 22, 2008

Dear Sherri and Family,

You are all in my thoughts and prayers and I am sorry for the lose of your Dad.

Love, Pam

Granville Brown Jr

December 22, 2008

David and Family, I am sorry to learn of your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. May GOD be with you during this time.

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Sign Edgar Watson's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

January 4, 2009

Greg Chance posted to the memorial.

January 2, 2009

Patrick Reilly posted to the memorial.

January 1, 2009

Mike Chaffin (farrier) posted to the memorial.