Richard Leslie Watson

Mr. Richard Leslie Watson, age 80, of Anita, IA, passed away at his home in Anita on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Richard Leslie Watson was born on November 2, 1945 to William (Bill) Henry and Ruby Itol (Harrison) Watson of Anita, Iowa. Richard, commonly known as Rich, lost his father at age 11 in 1956. Ruby eventually remarried in 1959 to Allen Christensen. Among other things, Allen taught Rich how to drive an 18 wheeler truck when he was a teenager in high school. Rich had a job driving the school bus for Anita while he was still in school. He was involved in several sports, including football, basketball, track, and cross country. He was a member of A Club and honored as a Homecoming Attendant. He graduated in 1964.

In 1965 Rich joined the Army. He was deployed to Vietnam during the years 1966 and 1967. He was proud of his service, loved his country and had great respect for the flag. Over the years he traveled to many reunions with his Army buddies. He belonged to Anita American Legion Post 210. As a longtime member there he held an office, and helped with funerals, parades, and the hosting of Bingo Night on Saturdays.

After the Army, Rich returned to his hometown of Anita, and began working in construction. He helped build the house that eventually became his family's home on Hilltop Drive. He married Cheryl Lay on January 28, 1968. They had two daughters, Amy and Jill. Rich worked for a time at Walnut Grove in Atlantic. He later became a cross country truck driver, traveling the United States for many years and many miles. He was known to many as Deputy Dog, his handle. He retired after 19 years with the BTI Special Commodities, Inc. Company in Des Moines. He had a record of traveling 2,351,681 miles, and with no accidents.

Rich enjoyed time with his family and friends. Cheryl and the girls traveled with Rich many times, experiencing amazing scenery and getting to visit family and friends along the way including many trips to Texas over the years. Hunting with his brother Fuzzy was something he loved and looked forward to every season. They returned with some very interesting stories from their out of state trips. Together they enjoyed working on many projects, even if Rich felt like his younger brother didn’t do the windows correctly on their deer shack. Eventually, Rich decided some of his brothers ideas weren’t too bad.

Rich was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Cheryl (Lay) Watson, Sherry as he affectionately called her; parents William Henry Watson, Allen and Ruby (Harrison) Christensen; brothers Roger (Jane) Watson, Robert Watson and Ronald (infant) Watson; sister-in-law Barbara Watson; parents-in-law Douglas and Marguerite Lay.

He leaves behind his daughters Amy (Charles) Bryant of Mesquite, TX, Jill Stone of Garland, TX; grandchildren Taylor (James) Pierson, Tori (Justin) Williams, Anthony Richard Gray, all from Texas; great-granddaughters Kinsleigh, Charlee, Hadlee and Stevie; brother Rodney (Fuzzy) Watson of Anita; sisters-in-law Donna Watson of AZ, Carol (Roger) Gard of Danville, IA; brother-in-law Lyle (Vicki) Brown of Atlantic; several nieces and nephews; and one very special niece dog, Izzie.

Rich’s daughters wish to extend a special thank you to Darlene Jessen and Uncle Fuzzy for their caring and loving support. The family also wishes to thank Gentiva Hospice for their wonderful care and support.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Anita, with Pastor Mitch Holmes officiating. Interment will take place following the service at Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, with military rites conducted by Anita Post 210 and the Iowa Military Funeral Honors.

Public visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home in Anita.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Watson Family. They will be designated at a later date in honor of Rich and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

Services are entrusted to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Anita.