Jackie H. Watson

Born Sunday, May 12^th, 1940, Lawrenceburg, TN

Born to eternal life Sunday, September 9^th, 2018 in Wauwatosa, WI at the age of 78.

Preceded in death by his Father W. Harley ‘Doc’ Watson and his mother, A. Artie Mae Watson (neé Weathers) and sister-in-law, Mary Scovell.  Devoted husband to Susan Watson for 41 years, cherished father to Emily Stodola (Tim), Liz Kasmarek (Shane), and Victoria Watson. Loving ‘Paco’ (grandpa) to 4 grandchildren (Henry, Zain, Natalie and Xander). Also survived by many amazing cousins, nieces and nephews, dear friends, and beloved students.

Jack was a man who loved playing and teaching music. He played his trombone in bands, orchestras and small ensembles, his guitar at home and Sunday School, and he sang whenever the spirit moved him. He began his training in music at Lawrence County High School, then got his degree in music education from Peabody College for Teachers (now Vanderbilt University). Afterwards, he joined the United States Army and was stationed at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, GA performing on trombone in the 3^rd Army Band for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson and many audiences throughout the US. After his honorable discharge, Jack got his masters degree at University of Michigan- Ann Arbor.  He then taught music in Detroit, Michigan, Dubuque, IA (Loras College), and McComb, Ohio before joining Milwaukee Public Schools in 1972. He made his home in Milwaukee, teaching there for 28 years.

His first assignment in MPS was at Bell Jr. High School. While there, Jack developed a recognized general music program that was featured at the Wisconsin State Music Association convention and conducted several bands. After that, he developed a music theory program at Bay View High School. He was one of the founding teachers at Milwaukee HS of the Arts, directing the orchestras there.  In 2001, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee .

As a teacher, Jack worked endlessly to help students succeed when they didn’t always have the means, giving rides to and from concerts and rehearsals for those who didn’t have them, and helping others get lessons on their instrument if they couldn’t afford them. Through grants and many phone calls to local and visiting performance artists and teachers, he helped provide all his students with opportunities to learn, grow, and be inspired through music. Many of his students went on to become excellent performers and educators themselves.

After retirement, Jack supported and attended many performances by professional arts organizations in Milwaukee. He had a great love of reading and learning about the world, as well as an abiding interest in genealogy, history, cooking, the Green Bay Packers, and enjoying time with friends in his hometown of Lawrenceburg, TN. For a time, he was one of the few (but strong) tenors in the choir and beloved conductor of the bell choir at St. Joseph Catholic Congregation in Wauwatosa. He later found a home for worship at the church of Mary Magdala in Wauwatosa.

Jack had a special way with animals and was preceded in death by cherished canine companions, Raga and Koto. He was the only person in town who could tame the Watson family’s infamous anxiety-ridden Shih-tzu, Clancy, who loyally followed him across the rainbow bridge on Thursday, September 13, 2018.

Countless colleagues, students and friends remember him as amiable, honest, caring, and hardworking with prodigious amounts of patience. He was quick to greet people with a friendly countenance and a kind word. He sought to challenge his students and create opportunities to inspire them and help them grow. Jack always had a long to-do list but was never too busy to help anyone in need, irrespective of age, color, creed, or furriness.

Visitation and Memorial Service at Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church, 1529 North Wauwatosa Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The Memorial Service begins at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jack Watson Memorial Scholarship fund

in support of Milwaukee High School of the Arts music students in their future endeavors.

https://www.gofundme.com/mr-watson-memorial-mhsa-scholarship