Charles Dennis “Dennie” Watson

Charles Dennis “Dennie” Watson, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away Sept. 20. 

Dennie was born Aug. 9, 1942, in LaPorte, to Charles G. and Wahneeta (Folkers) Watson. 

Dennie graduated from Winamac High School in 1960 and was a 1966 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He served in the Air Force for 26 years as a C-130 pilot, retiring with the rank of colonel. 

He enjoyed spending time with his family, attending yearly family reunions and telling stories. He loved talking to people; his kids marveled at his ability to find someone he knew in many of the places they traveled. He will be dearly missed by all of us. 

He is survived by his wife Shirley Todd Watson; children: Lisa [Mike] Murakami, Tyler [Angie] Watson, Todd [Renee] Watson, Lara [Kevin] Danciak and Shannon [Zak] Smith; grandchildren: Reese, Connor and Callie Murakami; Bailey and Quinn Watson; Jason [JoJo], Vonnah, Anna Rose and Jake Danciak; Colin and Ike Smith; great-grandchild Owen Danciak; and his five younger brothers: Don, Phil, Dan, Doug and John. 

Dennie is preceded in death by his parents; and son-in-law Kevin Menz.

Services were held Sept. 26 in Kansas. Interment will follow at the U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Kansas City Hospice House or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. 

(Pulaski County Journal — Sept. 28, 2016)