James “Jim” Watterson

Ava, Missouri

James Donald Watterson, 87 years, 7 months, 27 days old, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026 at home with his family.

Jim was born October 1, 1938 in Douglas County, Ava, MO to Ray Donald and Reta Frances (Hamby) Watterson. He was the oldest of four children.

Jim grew up in Douglas County learning how to work on the farm starting as a young boy. He walked to Hicks one room school house and later he graduated from Mansfield High School. Jim briefly attended college and quickly realized that was not for him!

He was a veteran and served with the Missouri Army National Guard for six years. He grew up going to church with his parents at the Highway Church of the Nazarene in Ava. His parents made sure he was in a Christian upbringing.

On April 2, 1960 Jim married the love of his life, Gaytha Lakey in Ava by his grandad, Rev. Ernest Hamby. They were blessed to have four children, Faira, Angela, Lance, and Justin.

Jim and Gaytha made a wonderful farm for their family to grow up on.

He believed in hard work from sun up to sun down, but he absolutely loved his “people” and always made time for them. When he wasn’t working on the farm he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and raising dogs with Lance.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gaytha in 2016; his children, Angela, Faira Watterson Spindle, Lance and Justin Watterson.

Jim is survived by his grandchildren, Brooke and Shawn Elwood, Tyler and Levie Watterson, Trevor Watterson, and MaKenzie Watterson; and like a grandson, Takoma and Destiny Dobbs and their baby, Malorie; his great grandchildren, Jayce, Casten, Brax, and Myra James Elwood, and Thomas Watterson; his siblings, Bob and Wilda Watterson, Johnny and Carol Sue Watterson, and Brenda and Jack Freeman; many nieces; nephews; extended family and numerous friends.

Jim was a devoted loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother. His legacy of LOVE, hard work, and kindness will live on in his family and friends.

Funeral services for Jim will be Monday, June 1, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO with burial following in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service Monday at 9:00 A.M. Officiating will be Pastor Shawn Elwood and Pastor Brooke (Watterson) Elwood. Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Bible School, Rt. 1, Box 48, Ava, MO 65608.