James “Jim” Ambler Watson, age 71, of Rocky Mount, NC peacefully went home to be with the Lord while surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 29, 2022, as the result of injuries sustained by a fall.
Jim was born on November 29, 1950, in Edgecombe County, to George B. Watson, Sr. and Martha Anne Speight Watson. He grew up on the Watson family farm in Goldrock, NC. He attended Rocky Mount public schools and graduated from NC State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics.
Jim had a bold faith. After losing his twin brother to cancer while he was in college, he was led to Jesus Christ. Jim’s faith was most important to him, and he was never afraid to share it! He joyfully prayed with, and for, whomever he met. Jim also shared his heart and was always there to help anyone in need. He knew the word of God and his motto was “Don’t worry about anything. Pray about everything.”
Early in his career, Jim was president of Watson Seed Farms and oversaw hybrid corn seed sales. Jim then joined Mutual of Omaha and developed an insurance business helping people with life and health insurance. Jim found his passion when he founded Gold Rock Marketing, Inc. His love of the agricultural community led him to dedicate himself to consulting with and helping farmers however he could. Through his technical analysis of the commodities market, he taught farmers all over eastern NC to understand market conditions and when to sell their crops.
Jim loved Jesus, his family, farming, the Wolfpack, and the game of chess. From an early age, Jim was an avid chess player. He enjoyed teaching chess to young people and also loved playing in tournaments state and nationwide. In 1981, Jim achieved the ranking of National Master awarded by the U.S. Chess Federation. Most of all, Jim loved his three grandchildren and loved to stop by for pictures and hugs from “Granddaddy Jim”.
Jim is survived by his wife of 44 years, Janet Fish Watson; his daughters, Josephine “Josie” Watson Thomas and Elizabeth “Beth” Watson Hedgepeth and husband, Travis; his grandchildren, Hayes Ambler Hedgepeth, Huck Wilton Hedgepeth, and Hunter Joseph Thomas; his brothers, George B. Watson, Jr. and wife, Deb and Dwight W. Watson; his brothers-in-law, John E. Fish and wife, Cassandra, Donald G. Fish and wife, Ashley, and Joseph H. Fish and partner, Jimmy Little; his sister-in-law, Wanda Fish Voyles and husband, Dennis; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and great nephews.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his twin brother, Eugene Carroll Watson; his sister, Martha Anne Watson; and brother-in-law, Harry G. Fish, III.
A Funeral Service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at 3:00 PM at First United Methodist Church, 100 South Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Rev. David Joyner officiating. Burial will follow the service at Pineview Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jim’s memory to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund at First United Methodist Church, 100 South Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Jim was a great friend and mentor. We shared many common interests and I will always value our many discussions. We would talk about our faith, family, NC State, and chess. He was unashamed of the gospel and would pray with me if I ever told him about a sick family member. I appreciated his faithfulness. Our common hobby of chess is how we first met. We spent many hours playing and reviewing our games. He would even call me after a match and review it as he drove down the highway. He literally played through the whole game in his head. He won about 80% of the games that we played together. Some of my proudest chess memories are the games that I won against him. It is always a great feeling to beat your mentor. You feel that you have learned something and that he will be proud of your accomplishment. Thank you, Big Jim!! You are loved and you will be missed, but rest assured I have plans to meet you over on the other side… for I know Whom I have Believed and I am Persuaded that He is able to Keep that which I have Committed unto Him against that Day (II Timothy 1:12b).
Thinking of you Janet , Beth and Josie. I am so sorry for your loss. With sympathy, Haven
With loving memories of James “Jim” Watson,
Jim was a great guy. I first met him, although neither of us could remember, in kindergarten at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Later after we both matriculated to NC State and worked in the Intramurals Dept, we got to know each other a lot better. Jim was as nice and honest of a person as you could meet and I always enjoyed our talks about Rocky Mount and the tour of Watson Seed Farm in kindergarten. Rest in peace, Jim, job well done.
Janet, so sorry for your loss. My sympathies to you and your family.
Mac Hines
To the Watson Family, my deepest regrets for the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. Hold on to your memories and the love you shared.
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Watson passing my son works at Chick fil a and thats how we got to meet him. He was such a blessing to us. I would go in every day to eat with my son and a friend. We laughed at the fact my son and I are Watson’s too. If the seat behind us was available he would sit there. He always talked about our Lord. He bragged about his daughter and her love for horses. He always had a smile and praised the Lord. He called my son, Tom and Ms. Lillie and myself CFA ‘s Amen corner. Mr. Watson will be missed every day. As I said before he was a great blessing to us all.
Jim , I will see you again one day in Heaven ! Thankful for having met you on this journey on earth.
I met Jim through my brother. I later found Jim to be a true friend. As he was helping me to learn the commodity trade, each time we met, he began with an opening prayer and quoting a Bible verse. He explained his daily reading of the Bible and was able to include its teachings in his daily life. As he was teaching the business, each time I had the “deer in the headlights look” he could always explain it in today’s terms and usually relate it to a Bible verse. I say he was a great friend because as he got to know our family, his first question in each phone call was asking about them. He always included humor in our conversations and now each time the phone rings, I look to see if it’s Jim calling to further my knowledge. My wife Wizard of Oz fan, and he would always reference something from the movie to her. I miss his phone calls and I have his last text to me saved.
We will miss knowing that Jim is no longer among us. He was a good friend who would call from time to time with some word or insight that he had received from the Lord that he wanted to share with me. He also occasionally sent a gift to bless the ministry of Praise Unlimited, always with an encouraging note.
Jim was so affable, yet he would never hesitate to question or confront anything said or done contrary to Scripture or that dishonored the Lord. During his last call to me, he told he was blessed whenever I referred to God as “Father.” THAT greatly blessed me! We send much love to Janet and their girls.
Wayne and Ruth West
I will miss Jim’s encouragement, prayers, and him just taking the time to invite me over to hear how it’s going with my ministry with Cru/Campus Crusade for Christ, and how my family is doing. Jim loved the Lord and he loved his family. He showed his concern for people coming to faith in Christ through his faithful and generous support of our ministry (he supported our ministry for almost 30 years!). He periodically sent me encouraging Emails, and he always responded to my Emails to him. But he did not respond to the last Email I sent him on September 29, informing him that we fared well from Hurricane Ian (in Orlando area). My heart sunk when I heard the news of his passing, but even with a sad heart I rejoice that Jim is with the Savior he loves who died for his sins and rose from the dead!
I continue to pray for Janet, Josie, Beth, George, Dwight and so many others who are impacted by this loss. I pray that you all would experience God’s comfort, grace and peace in this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Larry Nieboer
Saint Cloud, Florida
Jim Watson the gentle giant always quick with smile and a bible verse to pick you up. Words of wisdom often came from him be it on business or personal. What I remember most about Jim was he never gave up. Things did not always go his way but he was relentless in pushing forward never quitting. We can all learn from Jim’s actions having a quick smile and that famous chuckle. You never know when you may be picking somebody else up as Jim did for me many times. God Bless Jim as I already do . Tad Everett
When we think of Jim we think of Proverbs 3:27: “Do not withhold good from those to whom you should give it, If it is within your power to help.” Jim applied that scripture in his life and enriched our lives with his application of it! His passion for agriculture was obvious and along with his personal interest shown us enhanced our working environment. He worked diligently for and with us and our success was his.
How we will miss those weekly calls! Not a week passed by without hearing from Jim. Sometimes those calls were just to say or ask one or more of the following: how much rain did you get- where are you-what are you doing-you might want to go ahead and book that price- gas is going up-how are the children-how are the crops looking-.tell V hello!
We are so thankful that he entered and became a part of our lives. We learned to love him dearly and we are so thankful that we took the opportunity to let him know- while he was living- that we appreciated and cared deeply for him.
Even though we have an empty space in our hearts, we are truly thankful that he knew he was appreciated and loved by E@V Farms! We will always cherish our GOOD MEMORIES of Jim!
Twenty-five to thirty years ago, we first met Jim Watson. We were working in a field with our 4 children the first day that he came by. He quickly became known as “Big Jim”” to our family.
Jim wasn’t shy and always felt comfortable in any situation. One night when he stopped by we were having pancakes for supper, and Jim stayed and enjoyed them with us. He then became known not only as “Big Jim””, but also as “”The Pancake Man””to our children.
Jim always had Bible verses to share when he called or came by. If the weather was dry, he never hesitated to pray with us about the situation. He was a true man of God.
Jim was very intelligent and taught us a lot about marketing. He always had a heart to help farmers.
We will miss you “Big Jim”, and we will remember you always, especially when we eat pancakes. Looking forward to reminiscing, eating, and praying with you one day in heaven!