Obituary of Charles Watson

Charles Nicol Watson was born December 27, 1940 and died after a short illness on April 30, 2024. Charlie was born in Frankfort to Charles E. and Cassandra Jane Watson. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Emily Ann Watson Pitts (Rex). He was very close to all his family, especially his cousin, Robert H. “Bobby” Penn, and enjoyed many wonderful vacations to Daytona Beach and Wilbur-by-the-Sea, FL and Chelan, WA with his aunts, uncles, and cousins. He enjoyed local family get-togethers, and was very careful to remember everyone’s birthday. Charlie graduated from the University of Kentucky and became a CPA. While he worked for a short while for the state, his real love was betting on racehorses, and he was very successful, winning the pick six at least twice. He was a fan of most sports, especially football and basketball. He also enjoyed investing and helping his friends and family with their money, including doing their income taxes. He started a financial newsletter with his own complicated investment formula, and people who subscribed to it were glad they did. He wasn’t just a money man, he also made magnificent homemade beer cheese and his burgoo rivaled any Food Network chef! Jan Phillips was Charlie’s special friend for over 14 years. They could always count on each other for company and support, whether lending a helping hand or enjoying visits to Keeneland or local wineries. Charlie adored Jan’s dogs and was persuaded by them into getting his own special dog, JJ, short for Janis Joplin. Charlie was a fantastic and much-loved uncle to Scott Pitts and Karen Pitts Powell, great-uncle to Cassandra Powell Anderson (Casey), Elly Powell, and Matthew Pitts, and great-great-uncle to Richard and Bea Anderson. He was always prepared with a fun fact or trivia question about cube roots, Millard Filmore, or Pliny the Elder. His office was full of fun things for his nieces and nephews to play with and he had a secret stash of Red Hots candies for those who knew where to look. He taught his nieces and nephews how to play chess, file their taxes, invest, and read the Daily Racing Form. He leaves a legacy of curiosity, fun, and commitment to family. Friends and family are invited to a wine tasting and lunch at Prodigy Winery at noon on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 to celebrate Charlie’s life, followed by a private cemetery service. Memorial contributions may be made to Bluegrass Care Navigators, 1733 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY 40504.