Arthur Harrison "ART" Watson Jr.,

Age 81, of Mineral City, Ohio passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday June 9, 2014 holding the hand of his beloved wife with his daughter at his side.  "Art" was born September 7th, 1932 at Canton, Ohio, the son of the late Arthur Harrison & Grace Marie (Hinton) Watson Sr.  He attended Mineral City High School through the 10th grade then left to go to work and joined the Armed forces. He was Honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1963. Working hard his entire life to provide for his family he helped in forming & operating the Streski Door Company of Wheeling, W.V.,  from 1963-1967. He then spent many years working the construction trades including G.G. Crown Construction of Orrville, and then retiring from Overhead Door Co. of Canton. From his youth he enjoyed roller skating and camping with his brothers and friends and loved cars and motorcycles including his 1948 INDIAN CHIEF.  Art loved being a 37+ year member and Past President of the Tusky Valley Ruritan Club where he enjoyed putting together Thanksgiving boxes for local families in need. He spent years serving Pizza from the Ruritan trailer at the Tuscarawas County Fair & helped create the "Haunted Forrest" for the Atwood Fall Festival of which he was also an active committee member of from 1982-1992. Later in life his passion became taking care of his home with his wife and was so proud of his garden giving away vegetables to neighbors and friends and always exhibited a perfectly manicured lawn that he became known for in the neighborhood. He will also always be remembered for his "tell-it-like-it-is" attitude which was adopted by his daughter. Art is survived by his devoted and loving wife Helen (Gross) Watson whom he married June 18, 1961, their daughter Amy Jo Watson, grandchildren; Ricky Venables, Taylre Marie Conley, & Scottie Conley. He was so very proud of their accomplishments with their schooling.  Also surviving are his brothers; Virgil (Patricia) Watson, Harold (Wilma) Watson, sisters; Vera Kovacs & Velma Flaherty, brother in law Howard (Lacella) Gross, Sisters-in-law; Beverly Watson, and Lenora Gross, along with many nieces and nephews who he loved and loved to tease and always referred to as "rotten ornery brats".  Preceded in death by his parents, and father and mother-in-law; James Sr. & Jennie Westbrook Gross, brother, Earl Watson, & Sister; Anna (Watson) Morrow. Brothers-in-law; James Gross Jr., and Charles Gross.  A memorial service will be held on Fri., June 13th, 2014 at 11 a.m. in St. Paul's Community Church, 8733 First St., Mineral City, OH 44656.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Art's name be made to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Ave SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.  Condolences may be left at: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com.

Gordon (330)866-9425