1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each one should use whatever gift he received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
This verse reminds of my granddaddy, James Franklin Watson. As many of you may know, I lost my granddaddy on Oct. 23. After a long life of service to God, his family and North Carolina, he went to be with our Lord and Savior.
He was known by many as J.F., or “Jeff.” Through him, my roots run deep in North Carolina and the 8th District. He grew up in Robeson County and worked for the railroad all his life. He worked hard — starting out on a chain gang laying track and then retiring as a road master, responsible for managing a large territory spanning several states.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has offered prayers, condolences and kind words during this difficult time. I want to celebrate his life and share with you what he meant to me. There are three attributes that I think best describe him — he was a man who lived life to the fullest, he was faithful and he walked closely with the Lord.
The first attribute is Granddaddy loved life and he lived with zeal and great humor. His passion for life was contagious and it could be seen in all he did. I inherited many things from him, and his love for hunting and the outdoors is one of them. The first time he introduced me to hunting I was 4 years old. I remember getting on his back with my hands around his neck while he waded through the swamp.
Some of my most treasured memories are of time spent with Granddaddy in the woods. I can’t help but think of him every time I am out in nature, and I can’t wait to pass that legacy on to my son, Lane.
The second attribute is that he was always faithful — to God, to his family and to his fellow man. As a son, a brother, an uncle, a father, a husband and a grandfather, he was the rock of our family. When things went wrong, we knew he was there as a stabilizing factor.
Granddaddy was also faithful to his community. Whether it was Little League, the Lions Club, the Shriners, as a deacon in his church, prison fellowship, visiting the old and the infirm or 20 years of service on the Roanoke Rapids City Counci, Granddaddy gave back to his community and he made North Carolina a better place.
The final attribute is that Granddaddy had a close personal relationship with the Lord and he lived his faith every day. Acts 11:24 describes Barnabas this way, “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” The same can be said for my Granddaddy.
He led my grandmother in daily devotions every morning and was very active in his church, Calvary Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids. Every Sunday, he sat in his pew singing… loudly. Fortunately, the good book says, “make a joyful noise,” not a beautiful one.
When Granddaddy moved into a retirement home, he shared the word of God and his faith with others. He started the tradition of praying before every meal, and he led the other residents in Bible study.
When I try to put into words all the characteristics that made Granddaddy such a great man, I am reminded of the highest praise God ever bestowed on a human. He described David in Acts 13:22 as “a man after my own heart.” My Granddaddy was the closest personification of God’s heart I have ever known.
We should all recommit ourselves to living like he did by living life to the fullest, being faithful to our friends, family and community, and striving to have a closer personal relationship with God.
To my granddaddy, I love you, I miss you, and I WILL see you again.
Rep. Richard Hudson, R-Concord, represents North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District, which includes all of Richmond County.