Terry Clyde Watson

Obituary for Terry Clyde Watson

Terry Clyde Watson, 67, of Pocatello Idaho, passed away on July 26th after a long and noble battle with cancer.

Terry was born on December 12th, 1957 to John Blaine and Nadine Killian Watson in Cheyenne Wyoming. After Terry's father completed his service in the United States Air Force the family moved to Thomas Idaho where Terry spent his days as a youth learning to play guitar and working in the fields. Following Terry's graduation from Snake River High School in 1976, he served as a recruiter in the Idaho Army National Guard for 7 years. A few years following his service in the military, Terry learned the trade as a commercial painter which he did until his health required him to retire in 2023.

Terry relocated to Jackson Hole Wyoming and spent over 25 years there painting homes and commercial buildings. While living in Jackson Terry met Isabel Manilla. Terry and Isabel married in 2004.

Terry was a born creative with a passion for music. When he was eight years old, he received a small plastic guitar for Christmas. It didn't take long before he was figuring out how to play simple songs on this crude instrument. The next Christmas Terry found a learner's electric guitar and amp under the tree. The rest is history. Self-taught and obsessed with figuring out how to make his instrument sing, Terry became an accomplished guitarist, vocalist and composer. Terry and his brother Tracy played together in a rock band during their high school years. Terry continued playing in bands, performing, and composing music throughout his life. While his focus was primarily classic rock, he also enjoyed country music as well. Terry performed regularly including family gatherings. He would show his love through song. His audiences would stomp their feet and clap their hands to the electrifying and contagious beat of Mamma's Rock & Roll or Rock the City, or feel the emotion and melancholy from songs like This Time Tomorrow. Terry recorded several of his songs in his little home studio. From this studio he would produce finished songs with guitars, bass, drums and multiple vocals and all pieces of the music performed by Terry alone.

While Terry kept a somewhat private life, he was always kind, fun loving, and quick to point out the positive in others, especially his family members. He had a warm and witty sense of humor and could tell a good story. He was hard working and always willing to try a new idea. He accepted life's challenges with upbeat grit. When he learned that the cancer was beyond the doctor's ability to treat, he said "I'm not afraid of dying. Let's get on with it."

Terry was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Watson, his step son Johnny Manilla, his first wife Kathy Cooper, his brother Troy Watson and his father Blaine. Terry is survived by his wife Isabel Manilla Watson, his daughter Kimberly Watson Brown, his step daughter Erika Manilla, his step son Dany Manilla, his mother Nadine Killian Watson and his siblings Tony Watson and his wife Pam, Tracy Watson and his wife Gayelynn, Tammy Anderson and her husband Jeff, Ty Watson, and Timothy Watson and his wife Natalie.

A life celebration will be held in Terry's honor at the Blackfoot West Stake Center at 101 N 900 W, on August 8th at 11:00 a.m. 2025 under direction of the Hawker Funeral Home. A reception will be held in the Relief Society room for friends and family from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. His remains will be interred in the Riverside-Thomas cemetery following the celebration.