Donnie Watson

Donnie Watson, 77, of rural Ottumwa, passed away at his home, April, 25, 2023.

A Memorial Service will be held Monday, May 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Gateway Church of the Nazarene, Oskaloosa. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m., at the Winterset Cemetery, with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the family for a future designation. Online condolences may be made at www.caldwellparrish.com.

Donnie Gene Watson was born May 22, 1945 to Joseph and Blanche (Jones) Watson in Vienna, Illinois.

Donnie and Barbara Ann Richardson were married in 1964, and were the parents of two sons, James Allen, and Brian Lee. Barbara preceded him in death after 43 years of marriage.

Don was a four year Vietnam era veteran, and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Don worked and taught electronics all of his life. He owned his own CB store, The Hornets’ Nest, in the mid 70’s, until the 90’s. Later in his life he worked for Microlite in Chicago, working on major league sports stadium lighting systems. Eventually, he came to Oskaloosa, Iowa, to work for Musco Lighting.

Kathy Faux Cunningham and Donnie were married in 2008, and Kathy was the mother of two children, Daniel David Cunningham, and Kimberly Dawn Hewlett.

Donnie was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; parents, Joe and Blanche Watson; brother, Bob; sister, Pat; mother-in-law, Anna Faux; and stepdaughter, Kimberly Hewlett.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy, of Ottumwa; sons, Jim (Tracy) Watson of Florida and Brian (Erika) Watson of Illinois; stepson, Dan Cunningham; stepson-in-law, Kirk Hewlett; grandchildren, Laura, Tim, Jen, Nick and Jack; step-grandsons, Kolton and Kirby; great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Brook, Mattie, Andrew and Jaxson; and sister, Brenda (Tom) Whittenberg of Florida.