1898-1978
Judson Palmer Watson, Sr.
Attorney Ohio/Wyoming OH/WY
Judson Palmer “Jud” Watson was born October 1, 1898 to Josiah and Ella Sheldon Watson in Ohio but moved to Wyoming in 1908 when his mother took a homestead a mile west to Keeling.[1] He served as a private in the U.S. Army during World War I.
Judson graduated from Jireh College, took some courses at the University of Wyoming, and received his law degree in January 1925. Jud married Minerva Church who was raised on an adjoining homestead on May 18, 1924. In 1930 they moved to Lusk, WY, where he opened his law office.
In 1933 he lost his hearing, so Minerva began working as his legal secretary. She kept the office opened after his death, working until she was 81. They were members of the First Baptist Church in Lusk where Minerva served as pianist from 1930 and later as organist into the early 1990’s. The couple had three children: Rev. Judson Palmer Watson, Jr. (see entry 1926-2013), Minette Watson Gregory and Justine Watson who were all accomplished musicians and vocalists.
Judson P. Watson, 79, died February 2, 1978, in Guatemala City, Guatemala. His remains were transported to Wyoming for a funeral at the Niobrara County High School Auditorium in Lusk. In spite of the stormy weather some 300 people paid tribute to Jud Watson. Besides being a tribute to an unusual man, the service was unusual because Mr. Watson’s son, the Rev. Palmer Watson, longtime pastor of MacArthur Community Baptist Church of San Pablo, CA., conducted it. The music was led by Jane Bardo and the soloist was the pastor of the Church of Christ, Mark Lohr, who sang “Lead Kindly Light” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery with memorials designated to the Niobrara County Nursing Home. Interment was in the Lusk Cemetery, and in its winter coat of frost and ice was probably never more beautiful, but the snow was so deep that mourners were discouraged from trying to attend the burial. Instead, many gathered at the St. George’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall to greet the family and talk over old times. Minerva was buried beside Judson on September 24, 2002, in the Lusk, Wyoming, cemetery.[2]
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[1] The Lusk Herald, February 9 and 16, 1978. This information is from Niobrara County Library, www.niobraracountylibrary.org
[2] https://www.ancestry.com/1940-census/usa/Wyoming/Palmer-Watson_53151b