Graveside Service for SFC (Retired) Cleve H. Watson will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 27, 2023, in the Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma with Chaplain (CPT) Mitchell Frevert, Fort Sill, Oklahoma and his son, Gerald A. Watson officiating.

Burial, with Full Military Honors will be under the direction of the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

SFC (Retired) Cleve H. Watson, 86, of Cache, was surrounded by loved ones as he transitioned to be with the Lord on Friday, October 20, 2023, at his home.  He was born June 22, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey to Daniel and Sadie Morris (Shaw) Watson.  For those who have had the privilege of knowing him, his pride in this country was worn as a badge of honor. He will always be remembered as a Vietnam veteran, a family man, a friend, and most important a husband and a father.

SFC Cleve Watson was a hardworking, fun-loving, patriotic gentleman. He joined the US Army to join his fellow brave American soldiers in the Vietnam War. Committed and resilient, he made the selfless decision to reenlist and continue to serve and protect this great nation and served a second term in Vietnam. After he retired from the military, he decided to work for the Department of Human Services in Lawton, Oklahoma as a Social Worker.  After retiring from DHS, he worked for Cameron University as a Security Officer and then The Geronimo Police Department as a Police Officer.

Cleve was active in many organizations including the Masons and the Shriners. He was an ordained minister and served as Associate Pastor at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma. His accomplishments and service to his community are far too many to list, but include obtaining his Master's Degree in Business Management from the University of Oklahoma, and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Cameron University. He mentored at-risk teenagers at the youth center in Lawton, Oklahoma. During his military career he served as a Senior Drill Sergeant and earned several awards to include the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Three Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, the Army Service Ribbon, 3 Overseas Ribbons, Good Conduct Medal and Expert Rifle Marksmanship. He loved to work on and restore old cars. He also enjoyed watching a good football game; but his most favorite pastime was watching old Western movies. He could watch the Western channel all day long.  Unfortunately, due to illnesses from serving in the war, he wasn't as active during his last few years. Through his illness, he displayed humility, honor, loyalty, and dedication to all he held dear. We miss him deeply.

He leaves behind a loving wife, Mary P. Watson and adult children Delphine Thompson and husband Jimmie Thompson; Gerald A. Watson and wife Janice Watson; Letica A. Bailey-Kruse and Husband Richard V. Kruse; SGM (Retired) DeMarcus W. Watson and wife Melissa S. Watson; Curtis L. Watson and wife Candice R. Watson; Celestine R. Watson (who was also his caregiver) and her significant other Christopher Lee; Sariah L. Watson and Oraca C. Newberry. He also leaves behind twenty-three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, one brother and one sister. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, one son, two sisters and eleven brothers.

Cleve will truly be missed but we know he is better now in the hands of our Lord. He is free from illness and looking down on us from above. We love you and miss you, but we know we must all go on with life here until we see you again in Heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, "We who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air". Amen