Published Tuesday 5 July 2016

A mass of over 200 colourfully clad residents paid tribute to the life of James Watson, truly an extraordinary life lived to the full by an extraordinary gentlemen.

His son in law Bruce Muirhead presented a eulogy that helped many of the crowd piece together James’ incredible journey from Kenya to Cairns and all the stops and ups and downs along the way.

His life can quite justifiably be described as a roller coaster from success to trials and tribulations and back to success and so on but always at the core of his life was his faith and his love of and support from his family.

Always planning, always full of hope and always full of love for his fellow travellers along the journey of life.

Whoever he touched had nothing but good to say of him and always accompanied by a fun story to tell about their time with him.  His passion for life stayed with him right to the end.  Russ Clark from the United Church was with him at the end and smiled as he told the gathered congregation at his committal that James, even on his last day, was still planning and full of hope for his next project. Russ said there was no doubt that  James was not ready to go. 

In his mind there was still so much to do. Well, the higher powers, unfortunately, had other ideas and without any doubt James will now have been put to work organising the celestial version of Toastmasters, Rotary Club, Neighbourhood Centre and all sorts of ideas that James will have already have seen need attention.

Altouise de Vaughan and her choir sang with joy in their hearts and led the congregation in uplifting modern hymns, Amazing Grace and This is the Day and you could almost here the sound of James joining in with arms aloft.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• Vale James Watson: The Douglas Shire salutes you
• Watson celebrates 80th birthday
• Australia Day nomination for one of the Shire's inspirational men
• Residents recognise tireless efforts
• James Watson's plant giveaway
• Council to honour legendary volunteer with community garden
• James Watson recognised for community service
• local hero pleads 'help me fight the council
• Icon left high and dry
• James wins volunteer of the year
• Award win 'out of this world'
• Compromise reached over Nautilus Street furniture
• Port Douglas Unity Walk for Parkinson's Disease
• Douglas volunteer legend looks for successor
• Fingers crossed for local green thumb

He will be sorely missed, but yesterdays celebration quite rightly encouraged us all to be happy we had known him, and how much he had shown us in enjoying life and enjoying each others company.

We are all the better for having known him.