Don Wayburn Watson

Don Wayburn Watson of Melbourne, Ark. Don Wayburn Watson, son of the late Myrtle Hubert Watson and Eva Faye Campbell Watson, was born Jan. 3, 1930 in Melbourne, Ark. He departed this life Dec. 10, 2011 at his home in Melbourne, Ark., at the age of 81 years, 11 months and seven days. He was united in marriage to Barbara Royles on Nov. 15, 1951 in Batesville, Ark., and to this union four children were born. Wayburn was a lifelong resident of Melbourne. He was a 1947 graduate of Melbourne High School. After high school, he enrolled at Arkansas Technical College in Russellville, Ark. Before completing his degree in education, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving from 1952 through 1954, where he excelled in baseball. After his honorable discharge, he completed his degree at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He was employed for 23 years by the Melbourne School District as an instructor and coach. As an educator, he taught high school chemistry and history. He coached Senior Boys, Senior Girls, Junior Boys and Junior Girls basketball teams. In 1973 his Senior Girls team won the Overall State Basketball Tournament Championship. In the same year, he coached the North All Stars in the Arkansas All Star Basketball Game and was voted Coach of the Year by the Arkansas High School Coaches Association. He has been nominated for induction to the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. After retiring from coaching and teaching, Wayburn went on to become a livestock inspector for the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission, retiring after 21 years of employment. He was also a dedicated and knowledgeable cattle farmer. Throughout his career he announced IRA Rodeos for Don McKee all over Missouri. In the late 1970s through the early 1990s he announced rodeos for Paul McCarson and Clyde Kurck, legendary ACA contractors. He was voted 2011 Cowboy of the Year by the Arkansas Cowboy Association. He was a former member of the Fraternal Order of the Masons. He was of the Church of Christ faith and a member of the Melbourne Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Watson of the home; three daughters and two sons-in-law, LaDonna and Larry Hill of Melbourne, Debbie and Jerry Johnson of Harrison and Vicki Watson of Melbourne; one son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Lesha Watson of Ash Flat; one brother and sister-in-law, Lee Campbell and Sharon Watson of Melbourne; nine grandchildren, Heather Bishop and husband Spencer, Holly Cooper and husband Joe, Kohl Caraway and wife Tammy, Hunter Caraway and wife Whitney, Ashley Bodson and husband Matt, Will Watson, Abbey Haley, Andrew Haley and Sydney House; nine great-grandchildren, Alex and Bret Bishop, Halle Jo and Roby Cooper, Kinley and Karsyn Caraway, Knewt and Klara Caraway and Beck Bodson; one aunt, Waunice Barnwell; cousins, Beverly and James Walker and a host of other relatives and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral service will be Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Melbourne Church of Christ with Chuck Crow officiating. Burial will be at Combs Cemetery in Melbourne under the direction of Eddie's Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 12 from 6-8 p.m. at Melbourne Church of Christ. Memorials may be made to: Becky's Kids, P.O. Box 770, Melbourne, Ark., 72556 or Combs Cemetery Maintenance Fund, Melbourne, Ark., 72556. Pallbearers: Charles Everett, Tony Watson, Kohl Caraway, Hunter Caraway, Matt Bodson, Alex Bishop and Will Watson.