On January 24, 2025, our beloved Frederick Hopper Watson passed away peacefully at home. His loss has been felt by all who loved him.
Fred was born on September 23, 1928 in Arkadelphia, Alabama, to Alton Paris and Eva Leola Hopper Watson. He spent most of his childhood in Arkadelphia, Spokane, WA and Coeur D’alene, ID. He joined the United States Navy in 1946, and proudly served his country in World War II. He was in the Marshall Islands at Bikini Atoll when the military carried out nuclear tests prior to the bombing of Hiroshima.
Following his honorable discharge, Fred moved to Salome, Arizona, where he and his parents ran a motel-gas station-truck stop on the highway. When it burned to the ground, he moved to Phoenix, where he made custom cowboy boots for people and celebrities. He met and married Barbara Morgan in 1952. From this marriage came 3 of Fred’s greatest accomplishments, Patricia (Patty), Melinda (Mende), and Billie. He and Barbara moved to National City in 1959, where Fred started a lifelong career in the construction industry. In 1962, they moved to Molalla, Oregon because land was so cheap and his business partners in-laws lived there. In Molalla, Fred built an “A” frame house up on the hill, living there for 12-13 years, and continued to work construction. Up on the farm, he had 20,000 turkeys, as well as a black cap patch. In 1973, he decided to move back into town and built a beautiful home. He and Barbara lived there until 1981, when they divorced.
Fred met Patricia Bryson, and they were married October 31, 1981. They lived in Redmond, Oregon, for about a year before moving to Redwood City, California where Fred worked as a Project Construction Supervisor for General Contractors for approximately 3 years. In 1986, they moved on to a houseboat on the Delta in Stockton, California, as he commuted back and forth from Modesto. They lived on the houseboat for 9 years.
In 1993, Fred and Patty decided to move back to Molalla, where they lived in the backyard of his oldest daughter’s family home for a year. He and Patty bought a home on Toliver Road and lived there until they decided to hit the road and be full time in an RV, based out of Needles, California, where they were activity directors for Colorado River Adventures. During their time in the RV, they met many dear friends and gathered more stories to tell when visiting their families. He and Patty made and sold magnetic jewelry in local fairs and craft shows. Fred’s gift of gab was especially useful in selling their jewelry. It was as if he could connect to anyone and could talk with them about something they had in common.
In 2006, Fred and Patty decided to give up life on the road and settled down in Bay City, Oregon. Fred especially enjoyed the quiet pace of Bay City, the ocean waves and breeze, and the abundance of fresh seafood that he would catch, and then later Billie and John would bring over. They continued to sell jewelry in local craft shows and enjoy family and friends. Fred always loved when his daughters, the grandchildren , and their children would visit. He would greet his girls with “Hey Baby”. Grandpa Fred was always a good sport. He would play games, color, and turn on the gas fire pit to make s’mores. Sitting on the deck and talking about everything and nothing, while setting marshmallows on fire, was the kids’ favorite thing about Grandpa Fred and Grandma Patty’s house.
Fred is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patty; daughters, Patty (Lee), Mende, and Billie (John); step-son Grant; sister, Betty; 16 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, with one more coming in May ’25; his two cats, Ana and Betsy; and countless friends. Fred has left a void in all who loved him that will only be filled when we are able to greet him and hear him say, “Hey, Baby”.
We love you Grandpa Fred, until we meet again.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1025 North 3rd Avenue, Rockaway Beach, Oregon.
