- Date Of Birth: February 25, 1942
- Date Of Death: June 9, 2021
- State: Idaho
Our dad, Dean Watterson, 79 years of age, a resident of Hagerman, Idaho passed away peacefully at his home on June 9, 2021.
Dean was born on February 25, 1942 in Burley, Idaho. He was the son of Rex Wesley and Mary Virginia Watterson.
He was raised on the family farm south of Burley where he first learned to work hard. Once his father passed away in 1962, he and his older brother Larry kept the family farm thriving to help support his mother and younger siblings.
Dean married Gai Sue Taylor and together they raised 4 children (Deana, Nanci, Wes, and Bob). Dad was always a hard worker and instilled that in all his children. He and our mother successfully ran a land-leveling company and a family farm together. He taught us how to work hard and play hard. You could always find one of us kids riding with dad in the scraper, helping him while he surveyed, setting siphon tubes, following him from one job site to another (long before we had drivers’ licenses and could barely see over the steering wheel). Let’s just say drivers ed wasn’t really necessary for any of us kids, we had it down.
Our dad was always very independent and went where his work led him. He worked in Perris, CA., Lake Havasu City, AZ., Battle Mountain, NV., Reedley, CA., Kemmerer, WY., Sidney, MT., and many more that we may not remember. Dad’s legacy as a heavy equipment operator continues to live on as Wes and Bob work in the trade today. Dad was also married to Blenda Farwell. While married to Blenda, they lived in Reedley, CA, near his daughter Deana and her family in Fresno.
Dad played as hard as he worked. We grew up riding snow mobiles, motorcycles, racing cars…. anything that had a motor and went fast we had. Some of our fondest memories were riding snow mobiles from Stanley to Yellow Pine. We also spent a whole lot of time at drag strips and motocross tracks. He introduced a love of motor sports to the point that all his grandsons participate in the sports today.
Dad always knew of a shortcut, which sometimes took us 3 times as long. But we got to see some beautiful backcountry on those short cuts. Another one of our memories was a yearly trip to Astoria, OR. to go deep sea salmon fishing. (Deana actually only went once because she spent all of her time feeding the fish rather than catching any fish).
Our dad was a generous man and was always there for us kids. We knew that dad was ever only a phone call away and would drop anything and everything to be there to help no matter how near or far we were. We were our dad’s whole world and he made it known.
He is survived by his siblings Lynn (Paula) Watterson, Linda (Dwaine) Baker, and Mary (Ronnie) Baker. His previous wife, Gai Sue Taylor. His children Deana (David) Clayton, Nanci Uli, Wes (Tracy) Watterson, and Bob (Chris) Watterson. His grandchildren Maia (Jess) Uli Bradshaw, Josh (Ruby) Clayton, Ann-Marie (Brian) Johnson, Colter (Daryn) Watterson, Taylor (Scott) Freund, Cameron Uli, Austin Watterson, Kolby Watterson, and Tyler Watterson. His great-grandchildren Mary Jane and Lee Johnson and one great-grandson on the way.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Rex and Virginia Watterson. His siblings, Larry Watterson, Reed Watterson, and Colleen Gillette.
