Gayle Watson

Gayle Helene, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister, passed away peacefully at age 78 on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, due to the effects of Alzheimer's. She was surrounded by her loving family. Gayle was living at Kindred Care in Lewiston, where she received the nickname "Smiley" due to her beautiful, contagious smile. Gayle was born Oct. 12, 1938, in Tacoma. The family lived in Tacoma until 1947, when they moved to Coulee Dam, Wash., and then to Lewiston in 1951. She attended Lewiston High School, graduating in 1956. Gayle worked for Pacific Northwest Bell and later for the Spokane Chamber of Commerce. While in Spokane, she met the love of her life, Joby Ray Watson, who was on temporary duty assignment at Fairchild Air Force Base with the U.S. Air Force. They were married July 9, 1959, in Coeur d'Alene. They later moved to Altus AFB, where their son Anthony was born. Nine months later they moved to Fuchu, Japan, where their children Kellie and Joby were born. In March 1964, they moved to Lewiston, where Kristie was born. Gayle re-entered the workforce, first with Pacific Northwest Bell and then with Omark Industries, retiring in 1998. Gayle loved spending time with her family. She and Joby traveled extensively, watching their grandchildren's sporting activities. Joby and Gayle later became actively involved in Lewis-Clark State College women's basketball, following "their girls" to six national championship tournaments all over the U.S. Gayle was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she served as a faithful and devoted member who truly loved the lord. Gayle also loved being of Norwegian ancestry. It was a family tradition to make cookies and other Norwegian treats at Christmastime. Gayle is survived by her loving husband, Joby Ray Watson of Lewiston; three children, Anthony (Paola) Watson of Lewiston, Kellie (Jody) Gatz of Enumclaw, Wash., and Kristie (Randy) Arnold of Lewiston. She also is survived by grandchildren Selina, Abbi, Jesse, Amy, Elizabeth and Joby; and great-grandchildren Ava, Silas and Lucy. Gayle was preceded in death by her teenage son, Joby R. Watson, in 1981. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 920 Eighth Ave., Lewiston. Following the service, a luncheon will be provided at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to LCSC women's basketball or Trinity Lutheran Church.