Edward (Edd) Everett Watson, III

On Sun., April 3, 2011, Edd lost his 15-month battle with lung cancer at his home in Rockport. His wife and son were at his side.

Edd was born Feb. 28, 1942, to Ruth G. (Pickel) and Edward E. Watson Jr. in Lynn, Mass., where he spent his early childhood. He moved to Baltimore, Md., as a teen to live with his father and beloved stepmother, Edna (Benfield) Watson until joining the U.S. Air Force at age 17. He served his enlistment stationed at Paine Field, Everett. After his discharge he returned to Baltimore until his love of the Northwest drew him back to Washington in the early 1970s.

He was married to his wife, Kathryn (Kathy) Mae Swigart, on Oct. 4, 1980, in Sunnyside, Wash. They were blessed with their son, Cody Justin Watson, in 1983. Edd found his dream location at Rockport, where they have resided for the past 20 years.

Big Edd retired from Boeing in 2003 after 25 years of service. He enjoyed the challenge of each new assignment in the variety of work that he did and was known for his strong work ethic. A friend of his recently said, “Edd didn’t lose any battles to cancer. His life was a success and worthy of song, as they used to say a few hundred years ago. He was a warrior and he died an honorable death after a life of fulfilling his duties as a man, a father, a husband, a patriot. No losers here, only champions!” This was a true description of Edd!

Edd was preceded in death by his mother; father; and stepmother; his sister, Marcia-Ann (Watson) Lothrop; and nephew, Keith Lothrop.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; son, Cody Watson and future daughter-in-law, Shannon Claybo of Concrete; nieces Susan Ramsey of Lake Stevens, Wash., Kathy Nelson of Lynnwood, Wash., Janet Laderbush of Manchester, N.H., and Karen Chipman of Lynn, Mass.; and many great-nieces and nephews; also his uncle, Robert (Marge) Watson and aunt, Lillian Watson; and numerous cousins.

A Celebration of Life Open House was held at the CCD Center (across from St. Catherine’s Catholic Church) at 45603 Limestone St., Concrete, on April 23, 2011, from 1 to 4 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of the Northwest or Skagit Valley Cancer Care Center.