- Date Of Birth: July 25, 1944
- Date Of Death: June 24, 2011
- State: Arizona
Ronald Arthur Watson, 66, of Scottsdale and Cordes Lakes, Arizona, passed away June 24, 2011, following a 2 ½ year battle with a brain tumor. Ron was born in Burbank, California, July 25, 1944, to Robert A. and Nellie-Mae Watson. He was raised in the San Fernando Valley and moved to Arizona in 1962 where he met the love of his life, Sherry, and also began a 45-year career in aviation. He believed you go where the job is and traveled to Africa, Alaska, Idaho, and Washington working on and flying helicopters. While in Bellingham, Washington, he owned and operated Northwest Helicopters, Inc. Ron’s family was the most important thing in his life, followed closely by his cars and aviation. Ron retired in 2009 from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Aviation, where he was Director of Maintenance. He was both an aviation mechanic and a pilot. Ron was also a 40-year member of the Studebaker Drivers Club, the Antique Studebaker Club, ALEA, AOPA, and HAI. He is survived by his wife Sherry, sons Timothy (Julie) Watson, Dustin (Dalena) Watson, daughter Jennifer (Jim) Archuleta, six precious grandchildren Brooke, Eliana, Jaydon, Chelsea, Julian, and Tyler, his mother Nellie-Mae Watson, sister Bobbi Trantafello, brothers Steve and Don, and several nieces and nephews.
