James Watson

James Hugh Watson

James Hugh (J. Hugh) Watson was born near Arcadia, Louisiana, to Mary Virginia Hays and James Austin Watson on October 25, 1917 and passed away on April 21.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, with Rev. Kathy Wafer officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Park Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to service from 1 p.m. until service time at the church.

J. Hugh grew up in the Arcadia area graduating from Arcadia High School in 1935. After completing his studies at Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, Mo, he returned to Arcadia and accepted a position as statement clerk at the First National Bank of Arcadia.

In 1942, he entered the Army where he served for 3 years. When he returned home he accepted a position as a national bank examiner for the Comptroller of the Currency. On July 20, l947, he married Harriet Taylor and they made their home in Shreveport. They enjoyed 57 wonderful years together before her passing in 2005. In 1948 he was offered a job as chief clerk and cashier at the First National Bank of Shreveport. In 1950 he was promoted to assistant cashier. He was made assistant vice president in 1952. J. Hugh was named president in 1964 and assumed the additional duties of chief executive officer in 1974. In April 1981 he became First National's chairman of the board. Three years later, as one of the founding members of Louisiana Bancshares, Inc. he was elected chairman of the board of the holding company.

Community service was always important to J. Hugh. He served on various committees of Broadmoor Methodist Church where he was a member for many years. He was also a trustee of Centenary College, helped organize Neighborhood Housing Services and has served in a variety of capacities for the Louisiana State Fair Association, United Way, Council for Better Louisiana, Public Solicitation Review Council, Friends of the State Museum and other organizations. He was also instrumental in the renovation of the Stand Theater.

In 1974 he received the Clyde E. Fant Memorial Award from the United Way. In 1977 he was named "Mr. Shreveport" by the Optimist Club. The Community Council has also bestowed its humanitarian award on him and the mayors of Shreveport and Bossier City proclaimed Nov 13, l979 as "J. Hugh Watson Day". He was a recipient of the Rotary Club's Paul Harris Award and was named Business Leader of the Year by the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Harriet, brothers Garland and Loren Watson, and sister Zona Nelson. He is survived by his daughter Margaret Martin and husband Curtis, granddaughters Elizabeth Martin and Jennifer Ziebell and husband Zachary, and great-grandson Andrew James Ziebell.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given to Broadmoor United Methodist Church, Centenary College or the charity of your choice.