Dr. Richard O. "Dick" Watson
October 29, 1935 ~ January 18, 2025
Dr. Richard Oran “Dick” Watson, 89, of Jefferson City, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Heisinger Bluffs Senior Living Community.
Dick was born on October 29, 1935, in Sherman City, Kansas. His parents were Oran Earl and Mildred Irene (Cammack) Watson.
A 1953 graduate of Parsons High School in Parsons, Kansas, Dick received degrees from Parsons Junior College in 1955; Pittsburg State University in 1957; and a Doctorate Degree from Kansas City College of Osteopathy and Bioscience in 1961.
He served eight years in the United States Army Reserves from 1953-1961.
Dick was married on June 4, 1961, at the Washington Avenue Methodist Church in Parsons, Kansas to Janet Lea Smith who survives.
Dick began working as a house physician in Euless, Texas, completed his residency at Normandy Hospital in St. Louis in 1968 and began his career as an Internal Medicine physician working for Lake Ozark Clinic, Mid MO Medical Consultants, Inc., Capital Region Medical Center, and retiring in 2011 from Capital Region Medical Center Clinics and the California Resident Clinic.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church; the American Osteopathic Association, Osage Valley Osteopathic Association, Boy Scouts of America, Council of the Arts, Marriage Encounter, ABLE Board member, and was named Capital Region Physician of the Year in 2000. Dick enjoyed tennis, golf, snow skiing, 5 & 10K runs, 5 & 10k speed walks, volunteering, travel, cats, literature, poetry, music, family gatherings, and reunions. He especially loved helping people and his motto was “I’m here to serve.”
Survivors include his wife, Janet Watson, Jefferson City; his children, Daniel (Mariana) Watson, Hendersonville, North Carolina; Kelly (Bob) Collins, Syracuse, New York; David (Sarah) Watson, Eagle, Colorado; Douglas Watson, San Francisco, California; and two grandchildren, Jaden and Avery Watson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Walter Seeley.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Buchholz and Rev. Kent Trimble officiating. No black attire is necessary, please wear colors that bring you comfort and joy to celebrate Dick Watson.
Burial was held at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.
Memorials are suggested Capital Region Medical Center or to First United Methodist Church.
Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com
Services
Celebration of Life: Saturday, May 31, 2025 11:00 am
First United Methodist Church
201 Monroe Street
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
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Blessings
Jan I’m so sorry for your loss. Dick was our neighbor and he walked everyday. We already enjoyed catching up with him. He spoke so highly of the staff he worked with and how he truly loved teaching the interns. When we had Neighborhood Watch parties he loved being ravioli. He was a truly wonderful person.
Jan, so sorry for your loss. Mother and I so enjoyed having dinner for eight with you and Dick
in your beautiful home surrounded by fellow Christians.
May God surround you and your family as you walk the path of grief with the knowledge you will see Dick again.
Our sincere condolences to Jan and the children. We regret that we were unable to attend the Celebration of Life. The Watsons were as wonderful neighbors as anyone could ever ask for, and we are thankful that Dick and Jan were ours for a number of years. We pray God’s blessings upon Jan and the kids. “May the peace of God, which passes understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) With love.