1926-2013
Judson Palmer Watson, Jr.
Baptist Pastor WY/CA
On April 22, 1926, on the humble family homestead in Keeline, Niobrara County, Wyoming, Judson Palmer Watson Jr. was born to attorney Judson P. Watson (see entry 1898-1978) and Minerva Church. He was the oldest of three children and would later be joined by two sisters, Minette and Justine. Each of these family members would develop into excellent musicians.
This lad would be known as Palmer Watson because his father was known as Judson or “Jud” Palmer. High expectations were placed upon this young child from his grandmother, Ella Sheldon Watson in Ohio, who frequently wrote challenges to him such as:
Your ancestors have died to make not only this country but England and Bohemia and all the long roster of countries where your ancestors live, great and splendid—just for you. You can’t let them down. When ever you see a few brave men battling for some good cause, help them. Don’t let them fail for lack of the support you could give.[1]
He graduated from the Lusk High School in 1944, was active in the Boy Scouts and Baptist Youth Fellowship activities and served with the US Navy during World War II, joining as soon as he was 18. On January 7, on a five-day leave, he returned home to marry Beulah Mathewson of Lusk, a constant co-worker in his preparation for the ministry as well as in his student pastorates. The young couple moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to attend the Sioux Falls Baptist College. During his time of study until he graduated in 1949. Palmer was the student pastor of the Sioux falls Riverside Presbyterian Church.[2]
Palmer and Beulah finished seminary in Berkley and eventually settled into a lengthy pastorate at the McArthur Community Baptist Church in San Pablo, CA, where he received many denominational and civic citations. Upon being named Man of the Year in California in 1955, Palmer said,
If I have contributed something in a small way, if I have aided one single person, if I have given the message that I believe in a moral code for individuals in our city, it has been because I had the encouragement and love of my wife.[3]
Forty-five years later, on June 8, 2000, Rev. Judson Palmer Watson was named citizen of the year by the San Pablo Police Department Police Association. Watson responded with,
The ideal man is a man who is not a worrier, but a worker; not a master of men, but a servant of God, not possessive, but progressive, is a man of vision and vim, who will venture for Christ and His kingdom until victory. I thank you for this honor, but the honor does not belong to me but belongs to my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ.[4]
Judson Palmer Watson, Jr., passed away on March 5, 2013, with funeral services held in the sanctuary of the San Pablo Community Baptist Church, a structure he helped build in 1958. He and Beulah were married for 68 years.[5]
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[1] Eulogy presented by Watson’s daughter. https://www.missionbellschapel.com/tributes/J-Watson
[2] The Lusk Herald, June 6, 1951.
[3] Independent Gazette, November 12, 1955. Historical Contra Costa County Newspapers: Holdings by City.
[4] Ibid.
[5] https://www.missionbellschapel.com/tributes/J-Watson