Merritt Omer Watson Sr.

Merritt Omer Watson Sr., 96, of Lowland, died early on Sunday morning, July 5, 2009, at his home.

Merritt was born on October 23, 1912, to Ada and Kelly Watson. He was the oldest of ten children.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Mary Jane Ireland Watson and by a son, John Thomas Watson, who died as an infant. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Ebern and Olen and a sister, Gladys.

He is survived by his children, Jane Watson Brown of Rose Hill, Merritt Watson Jr. and wife, Linda, of Kennel's Beach, Ronnie Michael Watson and wife, Anne, of Merritt, and Gladys Watson Hopkins and husband, Dale, of Greenville. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. His living brothers and sisters are, Roy Watson and wife Hilda, Nellie Cahoon, Ruby Allsbrook and husband David, Marjorie Eggleston, Bertie Dougherty and husband Ronnie, and Kelly Watson Jr. and wife Jo.

Merritt spent the greater part of his life as a commercial fisherman and was known to many people as "Captain Merritt". His fishing career began with sailboats and he was a pioneer in fishing with a trawler in the ocean. In the summers he fished out of Gloucester, Mass; later out of Newport, Rhode Island. In the winter, he fished out of Norfolk, Va., and sometimes he brought his trawlers into Hobucken.

For about 13 years Merritt went out of the commercial fishing business to manage Rose Hill Poultry Plant in Rose Hill. He was a part owner of the business. In 1973, he sold his share in the poultry plant and built a steel hull trawler. Though at an age most retire, he wanted to return to the life of a fisherman he had known and still loved. Merritt lived to work and when asked by someone what was something he liked to do, his reply was simply, "work."

Merritt was beloved and respected by all who knew him. He was a helper of many people, a man who deeply loved his family, his community, and his church. Though gone from us, he will not be forgotten and will be remembered with joy and love.

Visitation with the family will be at Bryant Funeral Home in Alliance, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7. A funeral service will be conducted by Norman Miller at the Lowland Church of Christ at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 8. Burial will follow in Watson cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Merritt's honor be given to Lowland Church of Christ or to your favorite charity.

Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home & Cremations, Alliance.