Dr. Leroy "Earl" Watson

SALEM - Beloved Salem dentist and musician, Dr. Leroy Earl Watson, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his three children and longtime lady companion. His humor and constant cheerfulness will resound in our hearts for a long time. Born in Billings, Montana, Earl had an idyllic and rambunctious childhood filled with hunting, fishing, archery, horseback riding, tumbling and boyhood pranks. Living next to the Crow Indian Reservation, he developed a lifelong admiration for Native American Indians. Later he would make his own arrows and build a kayak. He remained an avid outdoorsman his entire life. At age 9, Earl found an uncle's old trombone, which initiated his lifelong career as a musician and his intense love of music. During dental school in Portland, Oregon in the 1940's, he played with the Big Bands of Dick Day and Freddie Keller. Later in Salem, he played with the Salem Pops Orchestra for 38 years and recently Earl played for the Friday morning dances at the Keizer-Salem Area Senior Center. A desire to work with his hands and have his own business led him into a dental career. After dental school, Earl served as an Army Captain with the 155th General Hospital during World War II. For a humble Montana boy, it was an experience of a lifetime to be stationed in London, Paris and Nuremberg, Germany. In Nuremberg, he met his Croatian wife, Suzi Bertovic. They were married for 50 years, but she preceded him in death by exactly ten years. As a dentist in Salem for 50 years, Earl also served as President of the Marion, Polk & Yamhill Dental Society of Oregon. He had been a member of the Salem Elks, the Knights of Columbus, Queen of Peace Church, the Town and Wisteria Dance Clubs and the Jabberwocky Archery Club. Dr. Watson is survived by his daughter, Maria Watson Kuhn of Salem; his sons, Dr. Lee Watson and Robert Watson of Portland; his two grandchildren, Tiffany and Lee Watson, Jr. of Portland; and his lady companion, Marion Segal of Salem. Visitation will be held from 12 to 8 p.m., Tues., Dec. 13, 2005 at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service. A Funeral Mass will be held at 2 p.m., Wed., Dec. 14 at Queen of Peace Church, 4227 Lone Oak Road S.E., followed by a humor-filled reception with stories about Earl. Interment will be at Belcrest Memorial Park. Donations may be made to the Keizer-Salem Area Senior Center, 930 Plymouth Drive N.E., Keizer, OR 97303. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.