James Edward Watson

James Edward Watson, age 82, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, on April 21, 2026, surrounded by friends and family following a long illness.

Jim, as he was known, was born on January 26, 1944, in San Antonio to Robert J. Watson and M. Edwina Watson. He grew up in Hempstead, New York, on Long Island.

Jim excelled in both playing and following athletics throughout his life. He became a devoted Dodgers fan at the age of five or six, when the team was still in Brooklyn, and remained a loyal supporter throughout his life. At Uniondale High School, Jim played right guard on the varsity football team and was both a pitcher and catcher for the baseball team. As an adult, he developed a passion for running and golf. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of sports and managed to attend games at nearly every Major League Baseball stadium.

Following his graduation from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, Jim served in the United States Air Force as a navigator during the Vietnam War. He later earned his MBA in Colorado and continued his Air Force career, retiring in 1992 with the rank of full colonel. His work focused on recruitment, where he and his colleagues helped build financial support systems for the families of new recruits.

Jim married Phyllis in 1970, and they welcomed their daughter, Danielle, in 1971. Together with Phyllis’s sons, Wesley and Robet Jess, they formed a strong and loving family.

After retiring from the Air Force, Jim dedicated himself to nonprofit work, most notably serving as Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club in San Antonio. There, he mentored many young people and developed a lifelong friendship with Monte Riley, becoming a beloved surrogate grandfather to Jayden and Tiana.

In retirement, Jim volunteered with Meals on Wheels and served as a reading tutor for young students. He was also an active member of the parish at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Throughout his life, he was generous with both his time and resources, always supporting the growth and development of young people.

Jim loved to travel and visited numerous countries in Europe as well as many states across the U.S. In the past year alone, he traveled to Italy, California, Utah, and Las Vegas. He especially cherished a sibling reunion last fall in Cooperstown, New York, at the Baseball Hall of Fame, where he gathered with his brother Bob and sisters Trish and Mary, along with their spouses.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Danielle (Victor Williams); his siblings, Mary Watson-Stribula (Jan Stribula), Patricia Watson (Gail Graham), and Robert Watson; his stepsons, Wesley Jess (Tania) and Robert Jess (Liz); six grandchildren, Jade, Melissa, Ryan, Richard, Tyson, and Logan; 15 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00PM - 8:00PM, with Recitation of The Holy Rosary to begin at 7:00PM, on Thursday, June 04, 2026 at Schertz Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00AM on Friday, June 05, 2026 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church of Selma, Texas. A celebration of life will be held at 12:00PM in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church's Parish Hall. Interment, featuring United States Air Force Honors, will take place at 2:15PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Boys and Girls Club of America www.bgca.org