James Michael "Mike" Watson

James Michael “Mike” Watson, age 62, of Grants Pass, died Thursday, May 26, 2011 at Three Rivers Community Hospital.

A celebration of life with potluck will be at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at Cathy Watson’s home. Please call 541.450.0358 for information. A private committal service with military honors will be held at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Mike was born March 17, 1949 in Oakland, California to James & Audrey Watson. He graduated from Mt. Eden High School in Hayward California. From February 14, 1968 to February 6, 1970 he served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. He worked as an automotive and machinery mechanic in California for many years. He retired and moved from Manteca, California to Grants Pass, Oregon six years ago to be with his children and grandchildren.

Mike restored a 1923 yellow Ford T-bucket and enjoyed driving it. He grew a vegetable garden and loved sharing his garden produce with everyone. His other hobbies included woodworking, clock repair and his cat, Boo Boo which he had for 14 years.

Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Watson and Catherine Watson both of Grants Pass, Oregon and Julie Watson of Eugene, Oregon; his mother, Audrey Jeanette Watson of Manteca, California; a brother, Bob Watson of Vacaville, California; and four grandchildren, Christopher Michael Watson, Kirsten Marie Watson, Katelynn Marie Tarr, and Jayden Michael Watson all of Grants Pass, Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Robert Watson.