Lloyd "Jim" James Watson, age 81, of Lenoir, North Carolina, passed away on Monday, November 4, 2024.

Jim was born on January 19th, 1943 to the late Ray Pitts and Mary Ruth Wilson Watson in Caldwell County, North Carolina.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 60 years, Barbara Watson; son, Chris "CJ" Watson and wife Taylor Watson; daughter, April Hodge and husband Scott Hodge; brother, Richard Ray Watson; grandchildren, Andrew Watson, Noah Watson, Makayla Hodge, and Brittany Markum; great-grandchild, Maggie Anne Watson; and numerous other loved ones.

Jim graduated from Lenoir Rhyne University, and was a teacher and a coach for Caldwell County Schools for a combined total of 30 years. He was awarded a coach of the year award for the support, talent, and encouragement he bestowed upon his student athletes. He was inducted into the Caldwell County Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. Jim was a member of Miller Hill Baptist Church for many years. He helped set up the sports section of the Gamewell Museum. Jim loved to play golf after he retired. He was well known for his barbeque. Jim was a man who made his life count and he made a difference. He truly believed that it was not the number of years that a person lived, but what they did with those years that counted. He was very loved, and he loved right back. He is going to be missed by many,

A graveside service to honor the life of Jim Watson will be held at Blue Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 11:00am with Reverend Steve Parker and Reverend Hoss Moore officiating.

The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service from 10:00am to 11:00am at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Miller Hill Baptist Church.

An online guestbook is available at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Jim Watson.