As we all know the Midwestern Federation and the Rolling Fork Field Champion Trial are being dediczted to the memory of James L. Watson. In Jim's honor I am re-printing articles written last year at the time of his death. I would like to thank Michey and Lana Johnson for writing this article.

Submitted by Paul Sizemore: Written by Lana and Mickey Johnson.

As most of you have heard, James L Watson (Jim) passed away peacefully on Monday morning, March 29, 2010. Jim was preceded in death by his first wife Joy Watson of 51 years and Kathy Watson, 10 years. He leaves three sons, Tom (Robin), Jeff (Connie) and Chris (Wendy) a brother, Robert and sister, Ann (Burget).

I have known Jim for about 25 years and worked for him in his home for about 2 years. Jim was devoted to his family, his church, Piperton United Methodist and beagling. He was active in his church and was the Finance Chairman. Jim told me how he and his partner Clyde Springer started Armstrong Transfer and Storage, United Van Lines with two trucks, hard work and determination. He said that both he and Clyde worked long hours to get the company up and going and that was what determined the success they had achieved. One of the highlights of Jims career was the United Van Lines Gene Anderson Excellence Award that he and his son, Tom received. They were the only father and son team to ever receive this award together.

When Jim was building his new home on Winchester many years ago, the first thing that he did was to build a kennel for his dogs and have the 11 acres fenced for an enclosure to start his puppies. Jim loved the sport of beagling and often talked about how the sport was changing and the need to have a hound with the ability to compete successfully and be able to run the front as well as the back and to stay on the check. Every dog has a secret. Its up to the owner and handler to figure out the best time to work the dog before a trial and when to back off. He loved watching his dogs run at Memphis Beagle Club and field trials. However, he was not able to go to as many field trials as he wanted to due to his health but would send his dogs and wait for the call to tell him how they ran. I remember calling to tell him that Mickey had gotten a second with his male Watsons Harry. I was so excited for him! I said isnt that great, and Jim replied a second is like kissing your sister and laughed. Individuals like Bill Richards,(who Jim called Skinny neck) Ed Powers, (who raised some of Jims puppies until they were ready to start) Larry Van Ness, Jim and Ruth Burton, Bobby and Kathy Richardson and Mickey Johnson that handled Jims dogs became a part of his beagling family. If Jim knew that someone was interested in beagling but could not afford to buy a good dog, Jim would try and get them one. He would often open his home to beaglers that came to trials and enjoyed visiting, reminiscing and talking about the trial and how the dogs ran. Jim would watch a derby run a few times and would know if it had a chance of becoming a field champion. I asked him one time, how do you know the ones that will make. He said, it starts with the breeding and Ive been watching dogs tracking rabbits for over 40 years and smiled.

Jim was known for his kindness and generosity. He has bought golf carts and helped numerous beaglers out financially in addition to beagle clubs that were struggling to stay afloat as well as others. About ten or twelve years ago, he called his son, Tom, into his office and said I want to talk to you about something serious. Jim said Ive made all of the money I need and Im going to start giving it away and my last check is going to bounce. I need to make sure that you will cover it; Tom smiled and said, Just dont make it to much and then Jim said where are we going to lunch? I dont know if his last check bounced or not. I do know that it gave him great pleasure to be able to share his wealth with someone in need whether it was a beagler, his church or someone he had talked with that needed his help. One day when he was visiting his mother someone called him and needed help. He told them that he would send them a check. Jim said that his mother looked at him and said, Son youre going to give all of your money away and you wont have any. He laughed and said that the lord had been good to him in his business and personal life and he wanted to share what he had. That pretty much was the philosophy that he lived by. I will never forget that when asked how he was feeling, his reply was Todays a good day, some days are just a little better than others.

Jim loved a good hound and always tried to keep and run the best. Jim had retired from the Purina Brace Beagle Award Committee but was a charter member of the committee and helped to write the rules of the award program 32 years ago. He was in the Brace Beagling Hall of Fame and a past president of the Memphis Beagle Club and the Southern Federation of Beagle Clubs. He titled about 225 field champions and boasts a record for breeding six consecutive generations of field champion bitches: Watsons Maude, Watsons Pale Face, Watsons Ruth, Watsons Twister, Watsons Sunflower and Watsons Peppermint. He is the only beagler to have won three Purina awards, 1) FD CH Watsons Warrior, 2) FD CH Loups Black Amos, and 3) FD CH Burway JD. (excerpts from TODAYS BREEDER, Issue 46, 50)

I think that this verse from 2 Corinthians 9:7 describes the Jim Watson I knew.
Each man should give what he has decided to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Jim you will be truly missed by your friends and the sport of beagling.

Mickey & Lana Johnson
Memphis Beagle Club