L. Arnold Watson

L. Arnold Watson, 94, of Abilene, passed away on Saturday, April 12 in Abilene. Arnold was born in Wilder Canyon, Idaho on April 24, 1919. As a young child, his family moved to Sand Hollow, Idaho where Arnold grew up on a potato farm. He graduated from Notus High School in 1937, where he played trombone in the band, basketball and baseball. He then attended Abilene Christian College for two years, where he met his wife Ruby Mae White. The couple was married on April 30, 1939 in Abilene. After spending time preaching in Idaho and California, Arnold received his bachelor’s degree in 1943 from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, Ca. In 1958, he received his Master’s from Harding Graduate School of Theology in Memphis, Tenn. Arnold lived a life dedicated to faith and served numerous church of Christ congregations across the country as pulpit minister – including Dearborn Church of Christ in Dearborn, Mich., Highland Street Church of Christ in Memphis, Tenn., and Northside Church of Christ and Russell Avenue Church of Christ in Abilene. He served as the minister of education for the Richardson East Church of Christ in Richardson, Texas. Arnold spent the latter part of his career in fundraising in Amarillo, Texas and Atlanta, Ga. In addition to full-time pulpit work, Arnold was the feature speaker at gospel meetings all over the United States and led tour groups through the Holy Land. Arnold directed the church of Christ exhibit at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. He was a much sought after speaker, published author, and worked several years for the Hallmark Company in Abilene. Arnold and Ruby Mae spent countless hours travelling the globe together. He was an avid golfer and a dedicated crossword-puzzle enthusiast. Arnold is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence M. Watson and Dorothy Alice Watson, and his wife of 74 years, Ruby Mae Watson. He is survived by three sons – Lawrence Watson, and wife Linda, of Old Hickory, Tenn.; Lorin Watson, and wife Patsy, of Abilene; Jerre Watson, and wife Rita, of Arlington, Texas; two daughters – Ann Ezell, and husband George, of Wilmore, Ky.; Linda Arnett, and husband Jim, of Nashville, Tenn.; brother Lloyd Watson, and wife Betty, of Long Beach, Calif.; 14 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren;one great-great grandchild; two nieces, four great-nieces, one great-nephew; and many friends. Family visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, at Hillcrest Church of Christ. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 18, at Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler, with Terry Brown and Matt Haynes officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Memorial donations may be sent to Christian Homes of Abilene, Cherokee (TX) Children’s Home, or Hillcrest Church of Christ foreign missions.