Obituary: Watson, James A. “Jim”
“Jim” James A.
“Jim” Watson was born in the spring of 1963 to Malcolm and Peggy Watson in Spokane, WA.
He passed away peacefully in the fall of 2015.
Jim was such a smart and funny little kid that his older brothers and sisters let him come along on their many childhood escapades.
He learned to read before he started grade school and was reading adult science fiction books when most kids his age were learning cursive writing.
Jim had many academic achievements in high school.
He was a Who’s Who Among American High School Students and he also won an award for “BEST SENSE OF HUMOR” while attending Ferris High school.
Jim went to college at Gonzaga University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.
He was a finalist in the Merit Scholarship competition, was a co-recipient of the Vincent Bendix award and worked on the issue of computer security to minimize unauthorized access to the main Gonzaga computers.
There were only eight Vincent Bendix awards nationwide each year.
After college, Jim entered the world of microchip engineering and had a brilliant career in Silicon Valley.
Between 1991 and 1999, Jim was awarded 15 patents for various microchip designs.
After his career in California, Jim moved back to Spokane and pursued his interests of piano playing, composing music and owning any new Apple device.
He kept his family entertained with his sense of humor and was the computer help desk consultant for his entire family and his many friends.
Jim treated everyone with patience, kindness and generosity.
Jim is survived by his brother Tom Watson and wife Linda Watson, sister Chris Dixson and husband Chet Dixson, sister Fran Watson and wife Mary Rush, sister Leslie Johnston and husband Steve Johnston, brother Bill Watson, many nieces and nephews and friends.
Jim was a life long Star Trek fan and his home office had a large model of the Star Ship Enterprise.
He would want all of those who survive him and miss him to live long and prosper.
Donations in memory of Jim may be made to Catholic Charities of Spokane.
FUNERAL MASS WILL BE WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH AT 10:00 A.M. AT ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH 3520 E. 18th Street Spokane, WA.
Inurnment will be held at a later date.