James Leigh Watson

Jim Watson passed away unexpectedly Monday April 3, 2017 at his home in Edmond, Oklahoma. Jim was born to Lewis Carl and Frances Watson of Forsyth, Montana April 28, 1938. He grew up on the Watson Family ranch and loved being a cowboy all of his life. After graduating from Forsyth High School Jim enlisted in the Navy. Through his hard work, diligence and intelligence he soon received acceptance into the United States Naval Academy. Due to an injury while attending the Academy he was unable finish his college education at the Academy and was assigned as an enlisted man again into Naval Service. After an honorable discharge, Jim returned to Montana and completed his College studies at Montana State University. There he met and married his first wife Loretta Winslow and had three children: Kristi, Brad and Jon. During the early years of their marriage Jim worked as a heavy equipment operator and quickly realized he wanted more out of life. He then accepted a job with the Continental Insurance Company as a boiler inspector and therefore began his illustrious career in the insurance industry. Over the next several decades Jim was either the founder or a member of the Senior Executive team of multiple Insurance Companies. After many years of mutual respect for each other in the Insurance Industry in Oklahoma, Jim and Brenda Bennet Pair, finding themselves single again, began a wonderful romance that lead to almost 22 amazing years of marriage. Jim and Brenda founded the TIP National Insurance Company where they worked closely with many friends and family. The primary story of Jim's life was not necessarily what he did however, but how he lived. He was a man of unquenching optimism, adventure and integrity. From an early age he demonstrated his daring by jumping off a local bridge in Forsyth, driving his Austin Healey sports car down treacherous mountain passes, busting broncos on the family ranch, or even riding bulls in Miles City Rodeo. He was an avid and expert snow skier and loved nothing more than a cool mountain morning on the slopes. Jim was also a considerable devotee of Harley Davidson motorcycles, spending many happy miles earning the "Iron Butt Patch" careening his Harley down those same Mountain passes he raced sports cars on. He always faced the challenges of life with a smile and made those around him feel like they were the most important people in the world. He believed in living life to the fullest and always being active. To him life was meant to be lived, not watched. Even more important to Jim than his career, sense of fun and adventure, or hard work, was his family and friends. Jim loved deeply and was such a great encourager. You always felt more noble, determined, courageous, or intelligent after spending time with Jim. He had an amazing way of rubbing off on you and had such an infectious spirit of joy, fun, determination and kindness that you couldn't help but to be drawn to him. He demonstrated these character traits throughout his entire life, through all of it's challenges and victories and it can truly be said that he lived life to its fullest and was deeply loved. Jim was a believer in his savior Jesus Christ, and therefore is today in heaven continuing to celebrate life. Jim is preceded in death by his parents Carl and Frances Watson of Forsyth, Montana and his first wife Loretta Watson He is survived by his loving wife of almost 22 years Brenda Watson and sister Jo Ellen Drake and husband Tom. Many sons and daughters Kristi Scopelliti and husband Guy, Brad Watson and wife Kathleen, Jon Watson and wife Mona, Rick Pair, Randy Pair, Ron Pair, Grandchildren Nicole, Bridgette, Katrina, Clayton, Curran, Suri, Randy, Madison, Stephanie and husband John, and Great granddaughter Piper. Nieces and Nephews Scott and wife Melissa, Greg and wife Christina and many other cousins and family relations. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of choice.