Kent Watson Baseball Scholarship Fund Established
The Corydon Democrat
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
The many friends and family members of Kent Watson have established a memorial fund in his honor at the Harrison County Community Foundation. The Kent Watson Baseball Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships to graduating seniors of Corydon Central High School who have participated in at least two years of high school baseball.
Born June 7, 1963, Kent was the son of Carlton and Jeanette Windell Watson of Corydon. He was married to the former Sherry Bishop, and they had two children, Jordan and Peyton. He also had two stepchildren, Joshua and Jason Rowley.
Watson was a 1981 graduate of Corydon Central High School, where he played baseball, earning three varsity letters, and won the annual Charlie Hustle Award at the end of his junior and senior seasons.
“He was neither the swiftest nor the strongest but managed to have an outstanding and positive impact on those Panther teams,” said Watson’s brother, Ron. “He did so by displaying an exemplary attitude, leading by example and giving maximum effort at all times.
“Kent avoided the spotlight of individualism by giving credit to others and creating a sense of ‘team’ among his teammates. He had a knack for making people feel better about themselves. Kent was the ultimate team player,” he said.
According to family members and friends, these attributes were apparent in all aspects of Watson’s life. He continued to live his life in much the same manner that he played the game of baseball: giving 100 percent all the time to every endeavor and every person while asking for nothing in return, they said.
After high school, Watson played on community leagues and spent more than 20 years volunteering his time to coach Friends of Harrison County Youth baseball and softball teams.
“This scholarship is given to those who live their lives in this manner in the hope that they can have the same positive influence on others as Kent did,” said his brother.
In August 2002, Watson was diagnosed with an angio sarcoma tumor in his heart. He was not expected to live but a couple of months. According to his wife, it was his strong faith in God and his will to live that helped him beat the odds and survive 4-1/2 years with this rare disease. The tumor was surgically removed in 2003 but later spread to his liver. He spent four years taking chemotherapy and enduring many operations. During the majority of these four years, Watson carried on with life as normal as possible. He continued to work everyday unless he was in the hospital. He would come to work after getting chemo treatments. He either coached or helped to coach both of his children’s ball teams. He mowed grass, and did all the things that husbands and fathers do, the family said.
“He was always willing to help anyone who needed help. He gave everything he had to everyone else,” his wife said.
Watson lost his battle with cancer April 22, 2007.
“The Kent Watson Baseball Scholarship Fund is created in Kent’s memory, not only to keep his memory alive, but to instill the importance of faith, determination and having a positive attitude no matter what life throws your way,” said Sherry.
“Kent lived a strong life,” she added. “He did so by having a positive influence on the lives of others. He was an example to all, an inspiration to many, and a common, everyday man on the surface that quietly set himself apart through his uncommon and extraordinary deeds and manner.”
The Harrison County Community Foundation provided a matching gift to create this fund, and any additional donation is eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $25,000. Anyone who wishes to make a donation to the Kent Watson Baseball Scholarship may contact the HCCF staff at 738-6668 or mail donations to the Foundation, P.O. Box 279, Corydon, IN 47112. Checks should be made out to Harrison County Community Foundation with the name of the fund in the memo line.