Samuel David Watson Jr.

Samuel David Watson, Jr. was born in Oklahoma City, OK on September 22, 1932. He was born to the parents of Samuel David Watson, Sr. & Edith Elizabeth SmithWatson. He attended & graduated from Capitol Hill High School in 1951. Sam met his wife Patricia Joyce Moore in high school, they were childhood sweethearts and eloped and were married at the ages of 17. From High School he furthered his education by attending college and graduating with a 4-year bachelors degree in Law Enforcement. He then went on to lead a very long & prestigious career in law enforcement. He even wrote a book during his lieutenant years about dogs in police service. The book was written and published in 1963. Sam was at the forefront and was a very important influence in bringing the canines' service to the Oklahoma City Police Department. Sam was sworn in as police officer, starting the beginning of his career, on January 10, 1953. Sam's titles of his law enforcement career include: Police officer from 1953 to 1958, sergeant from 1958 to 1960, Lieutenant from 1960 to 1967, Captain from 1967 to 1969, Major from 1969 to 1972, Asst. Chief from 1972 to 1972 & then Chief from 1972 to 1974. Sam then went on after retiring from the OKC Police Department to then be named Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations. He worked as Director for the O.S.B.I. from January of 1975 to December of 1975. He then spent the remaining years of his Law Enforcement Career as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Sheriff's & Peace Officers Association. He worked as the Executive Director of the O.S.P.O.A. from January of 1975 to then retire on June 30th, 1995. Sam was preceded in death by his Father, Samuel David Watson, Sr., his Mother, Edith Elizabeth Moore-Watson; His wife, Patricia Joyce Moore Watson & his daughter, Teresa Lynn Watson. He is survived in death by sisters Clethal Real & Wynema Hulgan. He is also survived by son, Samuel D. Watson, III, granddaughters, Natalie, Jennifer, & Angie; great grandchildren, including Alexis, Pierce & Jocelyn. Sam was loved & will be remembered by many other relatives, friends and acquaintances. Services will be Thursday April 17, 2003 at 10:00 AM at Southern Hills Baptist Church with interment to follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens. Services are under the direction of John M. Ireland Funeral & Chapel, Moore, OK.