Tony Joe Watson

July 24, 1945 – January 21, 2024

Tony Joe Watson, 78, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully, with family present, on January 21, 2024.

Tony was born July 24, 1945, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and was raised in Perry, where he graduated from high school in 1963. He enjoyed playing the trumpet and was First Chair of the Perry Marching Band. He was on the Dean’s Honor Roll. Tony graduated from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with a bachelor’s degree in Production Management while successfully completing the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC).

Tony was commissioned with the United States Air Force and reached the rank of captain, served as a flight instructor and was honorably discharged after five years of service. Tony later attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman and studied law. He graduated with his Juris Doctor degree and joined a private practice law firm in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He later moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to join the ranks of the Phillips Petroleum legal team, in which he spent the majority of his career and ultimately retired.

Tony was an active Christian and loved the Lord with all his heart. He also believed in the mission of the Boy Scouts of America and often donated much of his time helping the Scouts. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and tinkering with old cars. He was a generous man, tithed at his church, and gave often to those less fortunate.

Tony’s greatest joy in life, without doubt, was his wonderful and loving wife, Renee. He often called her “his angel” and they were best friends all his life. He will be missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Renee, and their two adult sons, Matthew (Jill) Watson and Zachary (Kelley) Watson and two grandsons Nickolas and Xander.

Tony’s funeral will be held at Stumpff Funeral Home at 1600 SE Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, on Wednesday January 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the Boy Scouts of America in the name of Tony J. Watson. All are welcome to attend.