Last week we read about the sages who occupy the back row of the chapel. Art Jones and Ray Watson take a back seat to no one, but they are faithfully in position every Sunday, and have been there for years. Guardians of Huntington Beach 1st Ward and viewers of the living history that is our ward.
Brother Ray Watson (Red) was born in 1926 in the town of Oronogo Missouri. He describes Oronogo as an old mining town located in western Missouri. The name he says comes from the residents using ore as a form of currency. You either had ore, or it was a no go. The name stuck...Oronogo. Although Ray never worked in the mines, you could sense pride when he talked of that heritage. His father was a Hoister Man at a local mine, which meant he worked in the upper levels of the mine and operated the hoisting cranes that brought the product out of the earth. Lead and zinc were gold in Oronogo.
Red, as you might guess, was born with a full head of bright red hair. He says that if you are born with red hair, you have to be ready to act like you have red hair. He faults his red hair and his Irish heritage for his hot temper. He credits the Gospel and life experience in helping him control his temper. He didn't give any examples of his hot temper, and quite frankly I was afraid to ask. At one point while I was interviewing Brother Watson, I asked if I could take his picture. He said that I better take the picture quick because he was having a good hair day. Tomorrow he is apt to have even less hair than he has today. That makes today a good hair day.
At age 16 Ray joined the work force. His first job was in Wichita Kansas working for Boeing as a Riveter. He worked there for about a year, and then joined the US Navy. He was stationed in Oakland, Ca for a short stint, and met the love of his life, Mary Rose. Ray and Mary Rose moved to the City of Westchester (near LAX) where he worked as a painter's apprentice. He also worked for the US Government as a store keeper for Civil Aeronautics.
While living in Westchester, he was set apart as a High Priest by Elder Delbert L. Stapley of the Quorum of the Twelve. Later he served in the Bishopric and was set apart by Elder Howard W. Hunter. A very interesting thing happened the day that Elder Hunter set apart Brother Watson. That day Elder Hunter also set apart Brother Watson's friend Thail Denny as a member of the Bishopric. While setting Brother Denny apart, Elder Hunter stated that in the pre-existence, Brother Denny was a close and intimate friend of the Prophet Joseph Smith. After the blessing, Elder Hunter commented that he did not know why he was prompted to say that. Brother Denny told Elder Hunter that it was an answer to his prayers. Brother Denny had thoughts that he was a close friend of our Prophet Joseph Smith, but was unsure why he was having these feelings. He prayed that he would know if these thoughts were true.
When asked what brought him to Huntington Beach, Brother Watson told of how in 1964 he went to his friend Harold Smith's new house in HB. They later went to go look at the model homes for fun...then he and Mary Rose picked out a model, and purchased a home. It was from this home that his two sons George and Raymond Jr. later served our country in the military and served the Lord in the South West British and Cleveland Ohio Missions.
While a member of the Huntington Beach first Ward, Ray has been a Stake Clerk, Ward Clerk, Assistant Ward Clerk, Hight Priest Group Leader, Membership Clerk, Assistant Ward Clerk, and Assistant Membership Ward Clerk where he currently serves.
I asked Brother Watson if he had any old pictures that I could scan and include in this article. He asked me to meet him at the chapel sometime after 4pm. Ray has a firm Sunday routine that has kept him occupied for years. His beloved companion passed away in 2000, and ever since, he goes to visit her grave every Sunday at the Harbor Lawn Mt. Olive Cemetery. He clearly misses his eternal companion and is grateful for their sealing at the Meza Arizona Temple.
Red, as you might guess, was born with a full head of bright red hair. He says that if you are born with red hair, you have to be ready to act like you have red hair. He faults his red hair and his Irish heritage for his hot temper. He credits the Gospel and life experience in helping him control his temper. He didn't give any examples of his hot temper, and quite frankly I was afraid to ask. At one point while I was interviewing Brother Watson, I asked if I could take his picture. He said that I better take the picture quick because he was having a good hair day. Tomorrow he is apt to have even less hair than he has today. That makes today a good hair day.
At age 16 Ray joined the work force. His first job was in Wichita Kansas working for Boeing as a Riveter. He worked there for about a year, and then joined the US Navy. He was stationed in Oakland, Ca for a short stint, and met the love of his life, Mary Rose. Ray and Mary Rose moved to the City of Westchester (near LAX) where he worked as a painter's apprentice. He also worked for the US Government as a store keeper for Civil Aeronautics.
While living in Westchester, he was set apart as a High Priest by Elder Delbert L. Stapley of the Quorum of the Twelve. Later he served in the Bishopric and was set apart by Elder Howard W. Hunter. A very interesting thing happened the day that Elder Hunter set apart Brother Watson. That day Elder Hunter also set apart Brother Watson's friend Thail Denny as a member of the Bishopric. While setting Brother Denny apart, Elder Hunter stated that in the pre-existence, Brother Denny was a close and intimate friend of the Prophet Joseph Smith. After the blessing, Elder Hunter commented that he did not know why he was prompted to say that. Brother Denny told Elder Hunter that it was an answer to his prayers. Brother Denny had thoughts that he was a close friend of our Prophet Joseph Smith, but was unsure why he was having these feelings. He prayed that he would know if these thoughts were true.
When asked what brought him to Huntington Beach, Brother Watson told of how in 1964 he went to his friend Harold Smith's new house in HB. They later went to go look at the model homes for fun...then he and Mary Rose picked out a model, and purchased a home. It was from this home that his two sons George and Raymond Jr. later served our country in the military and served the Lord in the South West British and Cleveland Ohio Missions.
While a member of the Huntington Beach first Ward, Ray has been a Stake Clerk, Ward Clerk, Assistant Ward Clerk, Hight Priest Group Leader, Membership Clerk, Assistant Ward Clerk, and Assistant Membership Ward Clerk where he currently serves.
I asked Brother Watson if he had any old pictures that I could scan and include in this article. He asked me to meet him at the chapel sometime after 4pm. Ray has a firm Sunday routine that has kept him occupied for years. His beloved companion passed away in 2000, and ever since, he goes to visit her grave every Sunday at the Harbor Lawn Mt. Olive Cemetery. He clearly misses his eternal companion and is grateful for their sealing at the Meza Arizona Temple.
Next time you quickly walk by the back row in a scurry to make it to your favorite pew, take time to say hi to the brothers in the back row. They have lived long and well, and are worthy of our admiration and thanks. What is the secret of a long life? My guess is the answer lies in the smiles of these young men who have matured long in cheerful service.
Ray Watson was one of the first members of the ward I noticed when I joined the church in 1984. I recall him going up and down the aisle counting the attending members which was odd for me as a non-member. Nevertheless, Ray never hesitated to serve 110% in his calling. I still see him at every baptism, activity and I can’t recall a time where he has missed church. I have learned so much from his quiet example of what it means to be a Latter-Day Saint! Adam Loughran
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