TEMPE, Ariz.—Jim Watson, a former Arizona State University football student-athlete and valued member of the community, passed away Tuesday, November 21. He was 48. Watson played offensive line at Arizona State from 1988-1992.
Watson was born on October 24, 1969 in South Amboy, New Jersey. He came to Arizona State as a standout prep defensive lineman, but quickly made the transition to the offensive side of the trenches when arriving at ASU. Watson's versatility allowed him to play any position on the offensive line, but he eventually found a home at the center position.
He played his entire Sun Devil career under Coach Larry Marmie, who was elevated from defensive coordinator to head coach after the departure of John Cooper. While Watson was a part of the football program, the Sun Devils reached the six-win plateau in all but one season.
He was one of the recipients of the Student-Athlete Award that was given to the Arizona State students that excelled on and off the field during their time as a Sun Devil. In his final game at Arizona State, Watson and the Sun Devils defeated arch-rival Arizona, 37-14.
Before coming to Arizona State, Watson attended Morris Community High School in his hometown of Morris, Illinois. While at Morris, Watson was a three-sport star, participating in two years of baseball, two of basketball and three years of football.
Watson would go on to graduate from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University with a B.S. in Marketing and a minor in Economics. After his football career, Watson stayed heavily involved with Arizona State and Sun Devil Athletics. He frequented several charity events and fundraisers for the Sun Devil football program.
Watson became a member of the Fiesta Bowl Committee soon after he graduated from Arizona State and remained a committee member until his passing. Watson also served as a committee member for the Sun Angel Foundation for over 17 years. He was the Sun Angel Advisory Council President during the 2004-05 athletic year, helping raise money for the improvement of Sun Devil Athletics and the student-athlete experience.
He was also involved in several other philanthropic endeavors after graduating from ASU, including charitable organizations such as the United Way Campaign Cabinet, Pinnacle Peak Presbyterian Church, Boys & Girls Clubs of Scottsdale and giving back to the ASU College of Business.
Watson is survived by his wife, Susan, and their three children Savannah, Tyler, and Sierra. There will be a Memorial Service for Watson held on Wednesday, November 29, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Pinnacle Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale, located on 25150 N. Pima Road.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Wednesday
November 29, 2017
11:00 AM
Pinnacle Presbyterian Church
25150 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Watson was born on October 24, 1969 in South Amboy, New Jersey. He came to Arizona State as a standout prep defensive lineman, but quickly made the transition to the offensive side of the trenches when arriving at ASU. Watson's versatility allowed him to play any position on the offensive line, but he eventually found a home at the center position.
He played his entire Sun Devil career under Coach Larry Marmie, who was elevated from defensive coordinator to head coach after the departure of John Cooper. While Watson was a part of the football program, the Sun Devils reached the six-win plateau in all but one season.
He was one of the recipients of the Student-Athlete Award that was given to the Arizona State students that excelled on and off the field during their time as a Sun Devil. In his final game at Arizona State, Watson and the Sun Devils defeated arch-rival Arizona, 37-14.
Before coming to Arizona State, Watson attended Morris Community High School in his hometown of Morris, Illinois. While at Morris, Watson was a three-sport star, participating in two years of baseball, two of basketball and three years of football.
Watson would go on to graduate from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University with a B.S. in Marketing and a minor in Economics. After his football career, Watson stayed heavily involved with Arizona State and Sun Devil Athletics. He frequented several charity events and fundraisers for the Sun Devil football program.
Watson became a member of the Fiesta Bowl Committee soon after he graduated from Arizona State and remained a committee member until his passing. Watson also served as a committee member for the Sun Angel Foundation for over 17 years. He was the Sun Angel Advisory Council President during the 2004-05 athletic year, helping raise money for the improvement of Sun Devil Athletics and the student-athlete experience.
He was also involved in several other philanthropic endeavors after graduating from ASU, including charitable organizations such as the United Way Campaign Cabinet, Pinnacle Peak Presbyterian Church, Boys & Girls Clubs of Scottsdale and giving back to the ASU College of Business.
Watson is survived by his wife, Susan, and their three children Savannah, Tyler, and Sierra. There will be a Memorial Service for Watson held on Wednesday, November 29, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Pinnacle Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale, located on 25150 N. Pima Road.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Wednesday
November 29, 2017
11:00 AM
Pinnacle Presbyterian Church
25150 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255