04/21/2026
Ryan Joe Watson, 50, of Wilburton, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Dow Methodist Church, 11141 E US Hwy 270, Dow, Oklahoma 74501, with Reverend Harriette Leigh officiating.
A reception will follow the Celebration of Life service from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Parish Hall, 912 Cherokee Avenue, Hartshorne, Oklahoma.
On June 4, 1975, in McAlester, Oklahoma, Ryan, a joyful, blond-haired, blue-eyed baby, was born to June Monroe Watson and Rick Watson. He was immediately greeted by a home full of love, with his big brother, Rodney, and grandma Imogene throwing him a party when he came home from the hospital.
Ryan suffered from a severe medical condition from birth, but this never stopped him from living his life to the fullest and bringing joy to those around him. Ryan acted in a production of Huckleberry Finn, competed in the County Special Olympics, danced to his favorite music, and got into all sorts of trouble with his family, friends, and especially his big brother, Rodney. Ryan did not let his condition slow him down, and for fifty years, he was an inexhaustible source of smiles, laughs, and warmth.
Ryan loved car rides, watching and riding horses, attending the Dow Methodist Church's annual candlelighting service, and watching his favorite shows, Family Feud, Price is Right, and Wheel of Fortune. He would roar with laughter at the radio show Car Talk, and truly loved spending time with his family and friends. All that mattered to Ryan was the love and happiness of those around him.
He is survived by his mother and step-father, June and Terry Haynes of the home; his father, Rick Watson and Laketa Palmrose, McAlester, Oklahoma; brother, Rodney and his wife Sheri Watson, Houston, Texas; nephew, Cody Watson, Houston, Texas, and nephew, Colin Watson and his fiancé Zoe Stoermer, Redondo Beach, California; step brother, Alex Haynes, his wife Christel, and their children, Brynlie Haynes, Kenidee Woods, and Kruz Woods, Hartshorne, Oklahoma; step-grandmother Katherine Watson, Hartshorne, Oklahoma; uncles and aunts, Sherry Koleszar, Seagoville, Texas, Larry and Patricia Sartin, Dow, Oklahoma, Bill and Carrie Monroe, Dow, Oklahoma, Jan Woolheater, Georgetown, Texas, and Harriette Leigh, Norman, Oklahoma, along with other loving family members. Ryan was also loved by his special friend and longtime caregiver, Debra Jacobs, Red Oak, Oklahoma, and his pets, Izzie and Tiger.
Ryan was preceded in death by his sister, Richele Renae Watson; grandparents, Clyde and Ethel Monroe, and Richard and Imogene Watson; step-grandparents, Hayden and Helen Haynes; and uncles and aunts, Clyde Dean and Genny Monroe, Dale and Betty Spears, Joe and Mary Monroe, Billy Pat Koleszar, Jimmy Watson, and more loving family members.
Floral tributes may be sent to Jones Harkins Funeral Home, 201 N. Central Ave., Wilburton, Oklahoma 74578. Please also consider donations to the Epilepsy Foundation of America in Ryan Watson's name.