Watson Hubert Shafer, 91, of Franklin passed away Saturday, January 29, 2022, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease . Visitation will be held at the McCauley Funeral Home in Franklin on Saturday, February 5th, from 5-7 PM. Services are scheduled for Sunday, February 6th at 2:00 at First Baptist Church in Franklin. Burial will follow at Pin Oak Cemetery near Gause. Jimmy Sanders will officiate the services.

Watson was born in Cameron, Texas, on May 15, 1930 to Ruby Young Shafer and John Frank Shafer, Jr., who predeceased him.

As a child, Watson loved exploring, fishing, and playing along Little River where he learned how to swim.  He attended school in a one room schoolhouse in the Pin Oak community until third grade, when he began attending school in Milano. Watson was a hard worker from a young age. He grew up farming alongside his father.

After graduating from Milano High School, Watson attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now known as Texas State). He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Agriculture followed by a Master of Science degree from Texas A & I University. (Texas A&M Kingsville).

Watson was a member of the US Air Force from 1952-1954, serving as a Flight Instructor.

After completing his Military service, he moved to Tenaha, TX where he was employed as a Feed Advisor for Purina Feed Company. It was during this time in Tenaha that he met his wife Opal. They were married on January 20, 1957.

Watson and Opal moved to Franklin in 1962 where Watson served as the County Supervisor for the Farmers Home Administration. He served in this capacity until his retirement in 1988. Following retirement from the USDA, he worked for the Brazos Valley Community Action Agency and Brazos Valley Council of Governments. In each of these positions Watson was responsible for assisting farmers and community members with loans and assistance needed for community water supplies, farms, and homes. Serving others and helping them through his work brought him great happiness.

Always a baseball fan, Watson was involved with several other fathers in beginning the Franklin Little League. He taught Sunday School and was also a self-employed farmer and rancher for many years, working alongside his sons.

Watson is survived by his wife of 65 years, Opal McDaniel Shafer. He is also survived by his four children Frank Shafer of Franklin, Texas, Philip Shafer of Franklin, Texas, William Shafer of The Woodlands, Texas, and Deborah Shafer Russell and husband Jerrod of Tomball, Texas. He is also survived by three grandchildren; Jonathan Shafer and wife Izabella of Houston, Texas and Graham and Sean Russell of Tomball, Texas, as well as his sister Elaine Baumann and husband Gene of Gause, Texas. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Frances Lee and husband Ronnie and his sister-in-law Alyne McDaniel as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Gary Conn, Alejandro Fernandez, Nester Leamon, Harold Shafer, Nolan "Butch" Walters, and Marvin Young. Honorary pallbearers will be Ruben Ray Cass, Jimmy Chambers, R.L. Barnard, Andrew McDaniel, Cary McDaniel, and Lee McDaniel.

The family would like to extend our appreciation and thanks to Barbara Trussell and Amada Martinez for their care.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Pin Oak Cemetery, ℅ Elaine Baumann, 10530 FM 2095, Gause, TX 77857 or to the charity of your choice.