Raymond Watson, age 87, of Jordan, MT passed away March 21, 2024 at the Garfield County Health Center where he had been a resident for the last couple of years. Ray was born in Jordan, MT on July 11, 1936 to Roland and Winona Watson. Ray joined siblings Roletta, Frank & Helen, then was later joined by Darlene & Richard.
Ray met his first lady Nadine Umland and her two kids Jim and JoAnn and together they formed a family union when Ray and Nadine were married on October 31st 1957, in Miles City, MT. Their family continued to grow when Mary Pat was born in 1958 and was completed when Paula Rae was born in 1959.
In high school Ray loved to go help the local ranchers/farmers do whatever was needed to lend a helping hand. Ray worked for the Farmers Union in Jordan, MT for 20+ years. Ray worked on various ranches throughout Montana, most notably the 6X/7W Ranch raising buffalo. He also worked for Beechers, Bergers and Wackers to name a few. Ray and Nadine lived a simple life together, raising kids and enjoying the grandkids as they came along. Grandpa taught them about his love of horses. Grandma was always happy to teach them the way around the kitchen, baking pies and rolls. If you were at their house you were guaranteed a drink and a slice of pie.
After Nadine passed away in 1994, Ray eventually made his way to Fallon, MT where he continued working as a ranch-hand. In 2002, he met Doris Ward and they made their home in Fallon until her passing in 2008. After Doris passed away he told one of his grandkids “It’s okay darlin’, I was a pretty lucky guy because I had two wonderful ladies love me in my life and most people don’t even get that once.”
Ray moved back home to Jordan where he has rescinded since his passing. He made great friends while at the nursing home and was always there to make sure the nurses were on their toes. He welcomed any visitors old and new; especially if you brought a little candy.
Ray is survived by his daughters Mary Pat Watson of Jordan, MT and Paula Rae Keeler of Coeur d’Alene, ID. Sisters Helen Rath and Darlene Shawver and brother Richard Watson. Ray has 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren Charlie Ray & Ryle James.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Frank & Roletta, wife Nadine, children JoAnn Stanton, Jim White and Roland Watson, partner Doris Ward, grandchildren James White and Patricia Stanton and nephews Wes Watson, Levi Rath, Ed Brooks Clyde Shawver, Wayne Shawver and Gary Kip.
Ray’s legacy continues in multiple namesakes…Paula Rae, Patricia Rae, Darial Rae, Raymond Keeler, Harrison Ray & Charlie Ray. If it involved a horse and a rope Ray was always willing to help out. He lived a great life full of love and fun and will be gravely missed by those left behind.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Jordan Ambulance Service or Lil’ Roundup Rodeo in Jordan.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 28, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Jordan, Montana 59337
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 28, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Jordan, Montana 59337
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Karen Barnes says
My sympathy to all of Ray’s family at this sad time. I will always remember him as the friend a few days younger than me. We had many good times over the years and he will be missed. Let all your good memories comfort you at this time. God Bless
Rita Wemmer says
Mary Pat, Paula and family
Am so very sorry for your loss. May God be with all of you in your time of sorrow. Prayers 🙏🏻
Darla⁹ Stanton says
So sorry to hear this.
Linda Seleg Wyse says
MaryPat, sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, He was always happy
Lori Murnion says
So sorry for your loss, I sure loved that old guy. I will really miss him. My thoughts are with all of you.
Sandra Barclay says
So very sorry loss. My thoughts with all of you.
Todd larowe says
Another good cowboy rides over the great divide. He was quite a man. My sympathy goes out to his family.
Daniel and Audrey l says
To the Family of Ray Watson, so very sorry for the loss of quite an old fellow.
Ronda & Pat Gaffield says
So sorry for your loss. Prayers and thoughts for the family
Dawn Colton (Schmidt) says
Mary Pat & Paula: so sorry to hear this news. This part of live really sucks. Prayers for you and yours…
Mike and Teddy Landers says
Mary Pat and family,
We are so very sorry. Please know your in our prayers and hearts.
Kathy Helm Bowers says
So sorry Mary Pat, Paula, and family. Hugs to you both. May God put his arms around you in your time of sorrow.
Linda Estes says
Sure sad to see this. Hugs to all of Rays family and prayers for you all .
Alan and Marla Pluhar says
Your all in our thoughts and prayers 🙏
Diane (Rath) Hewett says
My dear cousins Mary Pat, Paula, Darlene, Helen, and all extended family,
My deepest sympathy to all of you during this difficult time.
Love and prayers,
Diane and family
Jo Ryan, Jerry Twitchell says
My sincere condolences to the Watson families. I loved visiting with Ray. He knew everyone. So sorry for your loss.
James Kountz says
Lots of memories, and thinking of the family and friends he left behind. Sorry to hear this.
Bill/Madonna Ryan says
Sorry to hear of Ray’s passing you and other family members Mary Pat our in our thoughts and prayers
Steve Weeding says
First time I roped with Ray we won the brezooast caller roping @Phillip Murnion indoor arena when I was 12. Won a check every roping we entered for 2yrs. Never ever would Ray drink if we just practiced or at a event.
Richard O’CONNOR says
Ray was a good hand and truely one of my best friends . I will miss our times visiting together. I shared with Ray Revelation 19:14 about how he could ride again with the armies in heaven on their white horses. Wonder if Cowboy will be white with the passing of time? Ride easy my friend.
COLLEEN says
MARY PAT AND PAULA
SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR DAD’S PASSING. TONS OF MOMORIES OF WHEN WE WERE KIDS; WHEN YOUR DAD AND YOU ALL WOULD COME OUT TO THE RANCH FOR DOCKING LAMBS AND ROPING IN THE BARN IN TO COLD WINTERS. PAULA, REMEMBER THE TIME YOU AND CORRINE GOT THE JEEP STUCK IN THE SNOW DRIFT. FUN TIMES
LOVE YOU ALL
COLLEEN
JIM AND BETTYJEAN MURNION
Sally Fitch Ness says
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Ray was a great man and will be missed. Prayers to all.
Roxie Saylor says
Condolences to all of Rays family’s.Was saddened to hear of your passing.You will be missed in our old town.Enjoyed visiting when Ron came to play music.Rest in peace my friend.
Tom & Claudia Stanton says
Condolences to all of Ray’s Family.
Christine Whitlock Keltner says
MaryPat, sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. It was fun to get to know him again when he came to the Fallon area..
Prayers to you all.
Elizabeth says
Rest in peace ray
Darrell & Emma Higgins says
We are so sorry for the loss of such a sweet fella. He and I shared a birthday. Boy did he get a charge out of that when u told him. I loved listening to his stories when he would tell them. They were always so interesting. Sure will miss that. Hugs to you all. He will surely be missed.
Roxie Burrows says
Mary Pat, Paula and family…So sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers.
Jack Murnion says
I would guess Ray and Irl are having a snowball fight in heaven! Sorry for your loss.
Doug & Cherie Heser says
We sure enjoyed visiting with Ray and hearing his stories, including when he was pickup man for Brookman Rodeo and worked with our old friends George and Lucille Canfield and their rodeo company. He got the biggest kick out of flirting with Cherie and teasing me about it.
Our sympathy to the whole family. Ray will be missed.
Myron and Mary Beth Kibler says
Mary Pat and Paula as well as all of his”kids”, the memorial you just wrote for him was perfect. We all have wonderful memories of Ray that make us smile and memories that we will always hold close. May Peace fill your hearts for Ray as you visualize him in heaven visiting with all that passed before him and I hope riding a good horse.
Jana Hance says
Condolences to the family. Ray was a genuine gem, so glad I had the opportunity to know him.
Kars ( Clark) Lambert says
Mary Pat, Paula Rae, Darlene, Helen and all of the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you today as you say “See you later!” To Ray.
He enjoyed teasing us kids and telling stories. My favorite memory of him is when he drove the gas truck. He would come early in the morning for coffee and breakfast. He would pound on the wall in the hallway and yell “Get up and pee the world’s on fire!” to get us out of bed and have breakfast with him.
I am thankful I got to see him last summer when I ran into him in Mies City.
Oh the celebration in heaven that’s happening! My love to all .
Kara Lee
Andeen Raymond says
So sorry for your loss. Ray was one of the “good ones”, always so willing to lend a helping hand. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of getting to know him. Prayers for all his family.
Cindy Stanton says
My sympathy to all of Ray’s family. Special hugs to the Stanton kids, as well as M.P. & Paula Rae. Ray was a “fixture” in my life growing up. Always at ropings, the Mury place, etc. He was really good at teasing us kids.
He will be missed by many.