Christopher Watson

Christopher "Smiley" Watson, Jr., 83, of Lafayette, LA died Sunday, September 6, 2015 at his residence. He was born on October 18, 1931 in Zeigler, Illinois to Christopher Watson, Sr. and Georgia Marsh Watson. The family moved to Farmersburg, Indiana in 1933. As a young boy, Chris was always working and helping where he could and earned the nickname "Smiley". During his youth he worked as a paper boy, grave digger, and even a sharecropper. Chris and his siblings were first generation Americans, born to an American mother and an English father. After graduating high school, Chris joined the US Army and was stationed in Japan at the outbreak of the Korean War. In June 1950, he was sent to Korea and served as a combat engineer with the famed 24th Infantry Division and served in offensive and defensive campaigns from Pusan to the Yula River. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Service. After an honorable discharge from the US Army, Chris attended and graduated from Indiana University with a finance degree. He began working for Chevron as a Petroleum Accountant in New Orleans. During his tenure at Chevron he worked in New Orleans, Houston, Harvey, Venice, Leesville and Lafayette and was able to learn the basics of Oil and Gas Exploration. In 1976, he retired from Chevron and began working for Vermillion Bay Land Company as their CFO and Account Treasurer, where he remained until 1990. In 1990, he retired from VBLC and began working for CB "Doc" Pennington in Baton Rouge as his CFO and tax accountant. After serving in the oil and gas industry for more than 40 years, he finally retired in 1996 and enjoyed traveling with his wife on cruises, to many foreign countries, and to many of the states in the US from coast to coast. Chris also enjoyed reading, gardening, coin collecting, investments, going to the beach, and working out at Red Lerille's Health and Racquet Club, where he was a regular until his death. Chris is survived by his wife of 46 years, Gwendolyn Leger Watson; one daughter, Jeanne Pucheu Atchetee and husband, Russell, of Lafayette, LA; one son, Kenneth H. Pucheu, Jr. and wife, Darla, of Gansevoort, NY; five grandchildren, Kenneth H. Pucheu, III and wife, Michelle, Christopher Pucheu, Amanda Meyer, Bryan Atchetee and wife, Kelly and Erin Heels and husband, Matt and two great-grandchildren, Oliver and Amelia Atchetee. Also left to mourn his passing are his two brothers, William Watson and wife, Nancy, of Phoenix, AZ and Richard Watson and his wife, Willie, of Terre Haute, IN; his four sisters, Mary Alice Mulvihill, Sharron Jeffries and her husband, William, both of Terre Haute, IN, Sue Case of Hymera, IN and Martha Mitzat of Charlotte, NC and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bob and Ben and his daughter, Dr. Paula Pucheu. Chris was a kind, loving and gentle husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and he will be dearly missed by all those that loved him. We will miss you deeply "Bop-Bop" A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 11, 2015 at 10:30 AM in Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers. Reverend Duane Peterson, Associate Rector of Episcopal Church of the Ascension will officiate the Services. The family request that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home from 8:00AM until the time of service. Personal condolences may be sent to the Watson family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Christopher Watson

October 18, 1931 - September 6, 2015