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Arnold S. Watson • 1918 - 2004
He was born February 7, 1918, in Petersburg, North Dakota, to John and Ragnhild (Olson) Watson. As a young boy, he moved to Lakota with his family. He graduated from Lakota High School. Following graduation, he hauled coal with his father, first with horses and later he bought his father a truck to help with the work. Arnold drove to Omaha, Nebraska and joined the United States Navy in 1941. He served as a radioman on mine sweeps, during World War II, in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Following his honorable discharge in 1948, he returned to Lakota, where he worked as a bartender and also took flying lessons. On June 19, 1949, he married Jeannine Gibbons in Lakota. They moved to Minot in 1950 and Arnold started working at the John Moses Regional Air Force Hospital in the finance department. He later transferred out to the Core of Engineers and started working with Peter Kewit and sons in helping build the Minot Air Force Base. In the late 1950's, he went to work for the United States Customs as a relief customs inspector. In 1960, the family moved to Westhope until 1963 when they moved back to Minot. He retired in 1980. Following his retirement, he worked as a rural mail carrier in the Burlington area for over eight years and was also employed by Bingorama for 13 years. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans, all of Minot. He was a past member of the Eagles Club and Moose Lodge, both of Minot. Arnold enjoyed woodworking and especially found joy in making small toys and wishing wells. Survivors: wife, Jeannine, Minot; sons, Dave (Stynette) Watson and Garry Watson, all of Minot; daughter, Renae Hartin, Vacaville, CA; grandchildren, Nicholas, Zachary, Sedona and Sterling Watson and Shaun (Kareena) Hartin; great-grandchildren, Daina, Rebecca, Damon and Trinity; brother, Ralph Watson, Ocean Park, WA; sister, Ruth Malek, Auburn, WA and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Nicole Hartin; brother, J. Watson and sister, Thelma Northrup. Funeral: Monday, 10:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Minot. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church. Burial: Wednesday, February 25, 2004, 1:00 p.m. at
the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Music: "In The Garden" "One Day At A Time" "Beyond The Sunset" Active Bearers: Garry Watson, David Watson, Shaun Hartin, Bill Burcham, Nathan Burcham, Gary Gibbons, Scott Lang and Cory Ellingson Honorary Bearers: Arnold's family and friends Immediately following the service, everyone is invited to
join the family in the lower level of the church for fellowship
and lunch.
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Arnold
S. Watson, 86, 1304 11th Ave NW, Minot, died Wednesday at his
residence.