Jack graduated from North Phoenix High School and then went on to the University of Arizona on a baseball scholarship. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and spent 16 months in Korea. Jack wanted to serve as an officer with duties consistent with his military training but his talent as a player/coach was recognized by his commander who directed him to coach an all-star team made up of players from the 24th Division. The team made it all the way to Japan and were the runners up in the Far East championship game.

Upon his return from active duty, he coached the U of A freshman team while working on his master's degree. He then was hired as the baseball coach at Glendale High School. While there, his 1959 team won the state championship. The next step was to Arizona Western College as baseball coach and athletic director. Jack left coaching for a period of time and formed Watson-Bentley Insurance. After retirement, he returned to coaching as a volunteer assistant at AWC. Jack's friend, John Blabe, wrote an article for the Yuma Sun entitled, "Still coaching at 80" and Jack would still be there had Parkinson's disease not intervened.

No doubt Jack loved baseball but he also loved the state of Arizona, it's lakes, rivers, streams, mountains, canyons and deserts. Most of all, he loved fishing the Colorado River and he could have his boat in the water less than an hour from his house. His brothers, Bill and Bob, who preceded him, will have a lot of hunting and fishing to catch up on. Jack is survived by his wife, Marlee, son Jack Lee (Mary Helen), daughter Lori Ann and granddaughters Amy Hefner and Marlee.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 21, 2017 to be held in connection with the AWC Baseball Alumni Game at Arizona Western College beginning at 1pm. Contributions to the Jack Watson Baseball Scholarship can be sent to the Arizona Western Foundation, P.O. Box 929, Yuma, AZ 85366.