The Legacy of James L. Watson
By Larry Lee, BraceBeagling Editor
March 29, 2010

If James L. Watson was asked today what he would do differently in the life he just lived my bet is that he would say not one thing. As I see it Jim lived life to the fullest, enjoying each and every moment doing good things for others whenever the opportunity presented itself. It was fitting that he passed into another world this morning setting in his favorite chair in front of the television he loved watching basketball games on. He would not have wanted it any other way.

Jim suffered from severe diabetes and arthritis but he never let it interfere with his beagling. When lesser men would have given up the sport Jim seemed to strive because of his adversity. He watched many braces setting on the seat of his golf cart getting as close to the activity as possible without interfering. He would never complain when beaglers obstructed his view but would just lean one way or another picking up all the action he could.

My guess is that you would not have to search far to find someone in the beagling world Jim helped. He was always there, ready and willing to write a check that would bring relief to someone in need. Be it an individual, a beagle club or a homeless person on the streets of Memphis, Jim was always willing to help. For example, when we started bracebeagling.com, Jim donated a thousand dollars for the purchase of much needed equipment.

Jim was blessed with the gift of hospitality. He loved to entertain guests at his home in Memphis. The entertainment always included a trip to that great steakhouse called Ruth Crisps. When Ralph Gillum and I traveled there many years ago to spend three days with Jim and Kathy Jim found out that Ralph and I both liked fish. So on Sunday afternoon we traveled across the river into Mississippi where we feasted on some of the best catfish we had ever eaten. When I ordered a two-piece meal Jim quickly told the waitress to make that a three-piece dinner. Of course he insisted on picking up the tab.

When the Memphis licensed trial was going on Jim would take over 50 hungry beaglers to that steak house in Memphis always insisting on paying the bill. If his beloved Memphis basketball team was playing a home game the entire group was encouraged to join him in his private box to watch the game.

Jim started out as a man of meager means. After graduating from high school he worked for his uncle raising pickles. After spending that first summer in the hot Tennessee sun Jim knew he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life as a Tennessee farmer. He and a friend purchased two moving trucks from a man who was going out of business and the rest is history. He grew the business into a financial empire that included 19 franchises in the moving business all over the country. His personal life story is an example of the rugged individualism that has made our country great. The beauty of Jim’s story is that he shared his wealth helping many people along the way.

Jim told me while we were in Memphis visiting him that he didn't believe in doing harm to anyone. I will always remember what he told me. He said to me, “Larry, if I can go to bed each night knowing that I have not wronged anybody I can lay my head on my pillow and go to sleep peacefully.”

The beaging world will never be the same due to the absence of Jim Watson. In fact, it is much the better because of him. May he rest in peace.