"Susan & Family, I could not have cared more for Carl if he were my own family. Carl was always so sweet and gracious with a wonderful sense of humor. Love to you all, Sara Murphy, RN"
In loving memory of
Carl Clifton Watson
December 30, 1933 - November 20, 2018
Carl Clifton Watson age 84, of Gilbert, Iowa passed away at Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny, Iowa on Tuesday November 20, 2018. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Monday, November26, 2018 at The Grace Bible Church located at 308 Matthews Drive, Gilbert, IA. Visitation will be at 10:00, service at 11:00 with lunch to follow in the church basement.
Carl was born December 30, 1933 in Jefferson, Iowa the son of Fred and Roberta Maxine (Bryan) Watson. He grew up on a farm in Greene County near Bagley. Carl graduated from Bayard High School in 1952. He entered the United States Air Force and served during the Korean War from 1953 till 1957 when he was honorably discharged. In 1983 Carl started attending Iowa State University and received his Master of Arts degree. He then continued his education and went on to receive his Master of Fine Arts degree at The University of Iowa in 1990
In 1956 Carl married Mary Molitor. They resided in Ames from 1957 till 1983 when they divorced. To this union two daughters were born Renee and Wendy.
In 1985 Carl married Susan Ridnour in Ames, IA. They resided in Gilbert, IA.
Carl worked in the drywall construction for 30 years. He was Artist in Residence Emeritus at the Octagon Center for the Arts for 25 years.
In his retirement he spent 10 years as a Foster Grandparent for the Sawyer Elementary School in Ames and as a school crossing guard. Through these years Carl not only helped these 3rd graders learn but he also befriended many of those children.
Carl is survived by his wife, Susan Ridnour; his three daughters, Renee (Steve) Larsen of Nevada, Wendy (Wayne) Nash of Buckinghamshire, England, Lisa (Rocky) Schroeder of Overland Park, KS, son, Troy Ridnour of Gilbert, IA and sister, Janice Strawn of Jefferson.
Eleven Grandchildren: Sydney (Joe) Czarny of Grayslake, IL; Connor (finance Markie Spykerman) Larsen of Ames, IA; Sacha, Oliver, Isabel Nash of Buckinghamshire, England; Callie (Caleb) Woolery of Overland, KS; Molly Schroeder of Overland Park, KS; Ashlee (Cory) Anderson of Lake Ozark, MO; Gavin Turner of Aurora, IA; Chance and Kennedy Steffes of Nevada, IA
Four Great granddaughters: Olivia Czarny, Jayleigh Duncan, Skylyn Anderson, Coraline Woolery and many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Judith Senty.
At a later date Carl will be interned at the Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"I echo my sister's comments on Carl being a remarkable man. He was an outstanding example of a person who was involved in his community in his later years. He was a welcome "add" to the Fouch family when he married our aunt Susan. His wit, humor, and openness made him a person I enjoyed visiting with during my periodic visits to Iowa. He will be sorely missed."
"Carl was a remarkable man. I know very few people who had such a wide range of experiences and who so joyously shared his memories. I was always fascinated by Carl?s stories about growing up in the Bayard area. I learned so much about my father and my grandmother, his math teacher. His recollections of Templeton Rye production in Iowa during Prohibition were hilarious. My husband enjoyed talking Army with Carl. They served in different wars but they shared a bond from both having served their country. My husband called Carl a tough old bird. Yes, he was tough, but he was also a man filled with incredible joy. He will be missed."