May 5, 1931 – Feb. 28, 2018

 

ST. JOSEPH, La. — Memorial services for Philip “Phil” Brooks Watson Jr., 86, of St. Joseph, La., who died Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Christ Episcopal Church in St. Joseph, with the Rev. Gregg Riley officiating.    

Arrangements are under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Saturday at the church’s parish hall.

Following the services, there will be a gathering of family and friends at the home of Michael and Becky Vizard on Lake Bruin.

A native of St. Joseph, Phil was born May 5, 1931, the son of Philip Brooks Watson Sr. and Roslyn Newell Watson.

He was a graduate of Davidson High School in St. Joseph and attended Tulane University. He graduated from Tulane in three years, and, thereafter, from Tulane Law School where he received his bachelor of laws degree (LLB) in 1953. At Tulane, he was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Society, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and Who’s Who in America. He was also a member of the Tulane Law Review.

After graduating from Tulane, he served two years in the U.S. Navy before returning home to join his father in the practice of law in St. Joseph.

A member of Christ Episcopal Church, Phil was very active in church matters, where he continually served on the church vestry, was church secretary and senior warden. He was a proud member of Rotary and earned the honor of Paul Harris Fellow.

Phil served on the Tensas Pariah Library Board and was instrumental in establishing the Plantation Museum, which helped fulfill his many historical pursuits. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Cross Keys Bank for 46 years, serving in various capacities, including Bank Counsel. He served on the Vicksburg Hospital Board of Trustees for 37 years, and upon retirement therefrom, was honored with a scholarship in his name at Hinds University Hospital Nursing Program.

He also served as a member of the board of directors Panola Company Ltd., for 46 years and as a member of the board of directors of Newellton Gin Inc. During his career in St. Joseph, Phil served as president of Tensas Academy Board of Directors and served on a number of other civic and community boards, outreaches and programs.

Mr. Watson was preceded in death by his parents and one aunt, Lucille Watson.

Survivors include his wife, Allein Harkey Watson; three children, Benjamin Maddox Watson and wife, Linda, of St. Joseph, William Brooks Watson Sr. and wife, Karen, of Monroe, La., and Scott Harkey Watson and wife, Mary Lynn, of Tallulah, La.; one brother, William Wade Watson of St. Joseph; one niece, Rebecca Watson Vizard and husband, Michael, of St. Joseph; and seven grandchildren, Anna Kate Tonore and husband, Michael, Allie Elizabeth Watson, William Brooks Watson Jr., William Parks Watson, Elizabeth Claire Watson, Elizabeth Lee Watson and Philip Newell Watson.

The family expresses its thanks to TLC Home Health and TLC Hospice Services, Personal Homecare Service and its caregivers, Paula Keith and Rajean Rainey and special friend and caregiver, Jessie Campbell.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Christ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 256, St. Joseph, LA 71366, Tensas Academy, P.O. Box 555, St. Joseph, LA 71366, Tulane University for the Strawberry People Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 61075, New Orleans, LA 70161-9986 or to a charity of choice.