Dale Gilbert Watson, 84, passed away in Alpharetta, Georgia, on Thursday, December 2, 2021.

Dale was born on August 29, 1937, in Kirksville, Missouri, to Melvin and Meda (Gunnings) Watson. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Virginia (Gardner) Watson, and his great-grandson, Gabriel Zane Watson.

On November 29, 1959, he was united in marriage to Virginia in Brashear, Missouri. To this union, three sons were born who also survive: Leon and his wife Kim of Canton, Texas; Carl and his wife Donna of Creston, Iowa; and Bryan and his wife Debra of Atlanta, Georgia.

Dale is also survived by eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren: Leon and Kim’s children include their son Zane Watson and his wife Cassey and their daughters Riata and Isla, of Madison, South Dakota; daughter Shannon Bellis and her husband Garren and their children Beau, Kaeden, and Coen, of Athens, Texas; daughter McKenzie Wheatley and her husband Brandon and daughters Skylar, Addison, and Morgan, of Wells, Nevada; and son Garrett Watson, of Syracuse, Kansas. Carl and Donna’s children include their two daughters, Rebecca and Kelsey, both of the home. Bryan and Debra’s children include their son Andrew of Littleton, Colorado; and daughter Sara, of Blacksburg, Virginia.

Dale was a resident of Northeast Missouri for much of his life. He was a graduate of Kirksville High School’s class of 1955, and of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, from which he received both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. During his life, Dale was a member of the local agricultural community, and was selflessly dedicated to many members of the public in that regard. He worked for many years as an extension agent with the University of Missouri, based in Milan, Missouri, and in Carrolton, Missouri, and he was regularly published in multiple agriculture-related magazines and newspapers.

Dale was also active in community events. He was a committed member of the Kirksville Rotary Club, and enjoyed spending time with his many friends and neighbors. In his retirement years, he enjoyed traveling with his antique tractors to area parades and tractor shows.

A burial at the Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville will be held at a later date under the direction of the Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.