James "Jim" Watson

Jim Watson passed away in his hometown of Omaha on August 28, 2024 at the Sterling Ridge Retirement Center where he had lived the past five years. Jim was born on January 28, 1936 in Glasgow, MT to James Watson Sr. and Thelma Salisbury. Jim grew up in Omaha with his brother John where he graduated from Omaha North High School in 1954. Jim attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he was a member of the ROTC and met the love of his life Barbara Watson, whom he married on April 13, 1956. They were married for 58 years before her passing in 2014. After Graduating from UNL in 1959 with a degree in Business Administration, Jim served in the Army reserves as a squad commander, later receiving an honorable discharge from the service. He started his work career at Union Pacific as an accountant before moving to Northern Natural Gas in the same capacity. Jim specialized in the tax department, advancing over decades of work to head the tax department at what eventually became Enron. Jim and Barbara moved to Houston with Enron in 1987 before Jim retired early in 1992, noting his concerns with the company’s accounting practices prior to its failure. Jim and Barb raised two daughters, Cyndi (Watson) Hofstetter and Leigh (Watson) Wengert, building a lifetime of fond memories in the Dundee and Burke neighborhoods. He loved reading books and reading stories aloud to his daughters and beloved grandchildren. He and Barb returned to Omaha at Riverside Lakes in Waterloo following his retirement. There he played boat captain, spending countless hours teaching grandchildren to ski and hauling all manner of tubecraft around the lake again and again to his grandchildren’s delight. Jim loved to golf and enjoyed his second career as a Golf Ranger at Indian Creek, retiring for good after 10 years of service in 2008. He and Barb spent many winters in Destin, FL, making new friends and often hosting family, noting that Omaha was “too damn cold” in Jan-Feb. Jim is survived by daughters Cyndi (Scott) and Leigh (Dan), and the five grandchildren he enjoyed spoiling at the lake - James (Ivy), Julie (Sam), Chris (Katie), Matt (Cassie) and Lauryn (Greg). He enjoyed a round two of lake life with his six great grandchildren - Ina, Townes, Graham, Will, Julian and Eleanor. The family will hold a private life celebration, there will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you remember Jim with a trip and donation to your local library.

James "Jim" Watson

January 28, 1936 - August 28, 2024