Gerald Watson Obituary

Major General (Ret) Gerald G. Watson passed away surrounded by loved ones on July 2, 2025; he was 90 years old. Originally from Kilgore, TX, "Jerry" moved from his home in Jacksonville, AL to Lebanon, TN in 2020 to live with family. A Vietnam Veteran, General Watson served in the Army Chemical Corps for 35 years and continued to lead our Nation's defense preparedness efforts even in retirement. He was married for 65 years to his 8th-grade sweetheart, Carol Ann (Terry) Watson, who died in 2014.
The Funeral Service is at First United Methodist Church in Lebanon, TN on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 4 pm with the viewing at 3 pm. All are welcome! General Watson will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery later this summer where he will be buried with his wife, Carol Ann.
Jerry Watson was born to simple beginnings on a small farm in Kilgore, TX to his parents, Lark and Irene Watson. His tireless work ethic, grit, and character were forged on that farm among his 3 brothers (Erskine, Everette, and Alton) and 1 sister (Patsy). He also grew into an amazing athlete in all sports which allowed him to secure a 4-year football scholarship at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX his #1 choice so he could remain with Carol Ann. An ROTC program helped pay the other bills and he entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1957.
His major Army assignments included Commander of Rocky Mountain Arsenal where he oversaw the design, construction, and operations of the Nation's first nerve gas destruction plant. He was Commandant of the U.S. Army Chemical School and later Commanding General of Fort McClellan. When he retired, he was the Director of the Defense Nuclear Agency responsible for the modernization, testing, and maintenance of our Nation's nuclear weapons program.
General Watson is a Vietnam Veteran who served as a Chemical Operations Officer for Operation Ranch Hand (the defoliation mission in Vietnam). His plane "Patches" is retired at the Air Force Museum as the airframe that sustained the most direct hits and continued missions. He earned two Air Medals and the Bronze Star.
General Watson is survived by his brother Everette Watson of Longview, TX. General Watson is also survived by his two sons: Mr. Darryl Watson (Janie) of Acworth, GA with grandsons Zacharia, Thomas and Neil and MG (Ret) Bryan Watson (Sigrun) of Lebanon, TN., with grandkids Rae, Austin, Christopher and Chandler.
Major General (Ret) Gerald G. Watson (19 Feb 1935 – 3 Jul 2025).
Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.