James Huntley Watson

James Huntley Watson James (Jim) Huntley Watson, age 68, of Grayson, GA went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, June 20, 2016. He was surrounded by his loving family at Peachtree Christian Hospice, Duluth, GA. He was born to Mayrow Walter and Rebecca Huntley Watson on July 30, 1947 and lived with his family in Mt. Croghan, SC. He graduated Valedictorian from Pageland High School, Pageland, SC in 1965. Jim received his BA from Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC in 1969. While at Wake Forest, he was a member of the ROTC program and subsequently received a commission as First Lieutenant in the US Army upon graduation. His military service then led him to an assignment in Honolulu, Hawaii for 2 years. His decision to leave the military was a difficult one as he enjoyed his work and life in the military. Upon leaving the military, he entered Vanderbilt University School of Law in Nashville, TN receiving his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1975. After earning his law degree, Jim’s love of Hawaii carried him back to Honolulu where he founded, with his friend and partner, Jim Wagner, Wagner and Watson, PA. He remained in Hawaii for 23 years during which time he started his family with his wife of 26 years, Kathy Franklin Watson. He enjoyed playing soccer, sailboat racing, hiking and many other outdoor activities. His life-long love of volunteering continued with his involvement in “Christmas in April” where his skills in carpentry helped to build homes for the needy. In 1998, Jim and his family relocated to the Atlanta, GA area where he worked with Holland and Knight, PA specializing in Real Estate Law. Jim loved to write. He was working on a compilation of Southern stories with a Christian message at the time of his death. He loved bluegrass and old-time Christian music and played the guitar, piano and banjo. Jim was a dedicated member of Grayson United Methodist Church, Grayson, GA, and especially enjoyed the fellowship of his “Empty Nesters” Sunday school class. He is survived by his fiancée Linda Belcher Bender of Grayson,GA, his beloved children Johnathan Paul Watson of Atlanta, GA, Caroline Rebecca Watson of Atlanta, GA, his sister Debra Watson Taylor and her husband James of Mt. Croghan, SC. Jim was predeceased by his older brother Larry Andrew Watson of Los Angeles, CA and his parents Mayrow Walter and Margaret Rebecca (Huntley) Watson. Friends are invited to attend a celebration of life service on Wednesday June 29 at 1:00 p.m. at Grayson United Methodist Church, 555 Grayson Parkway, Grayson, GA 30017. The family will receive friends at 12:00 noon prior to the service. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park, 1111 Access Road, Covington, GA 30014. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grayson United Methodist Church, 555 Grayson Parkway, Grayson, GA 30017 designated to the “Handy Hands”, one of Jim’s favorite mission programs.