Arthur James Watson

Arthur James Watson, age 82, of Aurora, CO, died June 11, 2018, at his home, surrounded by his family. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, on July 21, 1935, Art met his wife, Jeannette Mary Watson, at Bishop Heelan Catholic High School.They married in 1957 and both earned pharmacy degrees from South Dakota State University, before moving to Colorado. He worked for more than 40 years as a pharmacist in Denver, Fort Collins and Aurora before retiring and focusing on his life's passions _ birdwatching, sculpting, hiking, cross-country skiing, reading and volunteering. He assisted the Colorado Bluebird Project, monitoring nesting boxes along highways, and volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for eight years, helping with exhibits and talking to students. Art and Jeannette traveled the world, visiting countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. He also created a collection of bronze sculptures of his feathered friends. Art was an inspiration to his family _ humble, curious, kind and funny. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jeannette Watson, of Aurora, and their five children, daughter Kelly Stout and her husband, Chuck Stout of Denver; daughter Lisa Schafer and her husband, Dan Schafer of San Diego; daughter Betsy DeMarco of Hamden, CT; son Michael Watson and his wife, Maria Watson of Denver; and daughter Julie Watson and her husband, Greg Bull of San Diego; and nine grandchildren, Ben and Adam Schafer, Nicholas and Alex DeMarco, Carolyn Stout, Christian and Russell Watson and Fiona and Anika Bull.Other survivors include Art’s sister, Catherine Ferguson and her husband, Terrence Ferguson of Omaha, NE; and their children, George Ferguson and Adrian Ferguson, and their families. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Christopher Kent Watson, and his parents, George and Pearl Watson. A wake will be held from 7-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 20, at Horan and McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., in Aurora. A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. the following day, Thursday, at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Denver. Reception will follow at Horan and McConaty. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to CurePSP, at www.psp.org, or by mail to CurePSP, 1206 York Road, Suite L-4 Lutherville, MD 21093, or by phone, at 443-578-5670. Please give your condolences to the Watson family.