Tribute

Local Expert and Family Treasure

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Tim. Tim is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy; his sons Spencer (Christine, Calder and Nathaniel) and Michael (Lisa, Aidan, Laila and Shae); his sister Josephine (Jim) and brother John.

Tim was born in Vernon, BC to John Kemball Watson (Winnipeg, MB) and Katharine Mabel Watson (Mara, BC). He is the descendant of immigrant settlers from England in the late 1880s.

Tim grew up on Kirton Farm in the Black Rock region of Vernon, BC, an 80-acre orchard established by his grandfather and subsequently owned by his Father. The farm was named after the region the family came from in England. They also farmed 100 acres in the Commonage area and an additional 500 acres above Swan Lake. They produced apples, pears, plums, alfalfa, beef cattle, and hogs.

Hunting and fishing were important activities growing up, with trips often made to the Bluenose Mtn region, Lumby and Lavington. Aberdeen, Haddow and Spec lakes were favourites for fishing.

Tim started University at UBC in 1960, originally enrolling in Architecture. He changed his career path after working a summer job at the Research Center in Summerland, BC.

In 1965, he worked out of Hay River as an ice road builder for a time, working with his cousins and their uncle John Denison. He left the extreme cold and moved to southern BC, accepting a job in Agassiz, BC as a research technician at the Research Center.

Tim met Dorothy in 1966, who was an office manager for the BC Ministry of Agriculture in Abbotsford at the time. They visited many Lower Mainland locations, enjoyed hiking in places such as Mt Baker and Mt Cheam, playing tennis, and spending time with family. They were married April 24, 1971, in Abbotsford, BC. They had their first son, Spencer, in December of 1973.

Tim and Family relocated to Oliver, BC in May of 1974 after accepting a job as District Horticulturist. He built a new house in Oliver in 1976, the same house both Tim and Dorothy have lived in for the past 50 years. Their second son (Michael) was born in 1976, shortly after the house was completed. Over the years, Tim and Dorothy turned their house into their personal sanctuary, with a huge garden and many flower beds.

Tim was a respected Tree Fruit and Grape Extension specialist in the Okanagan Valley, often affectionately known as a walking reference book. He published more than 20 articles, hosted countless seminars, and shared his expertise with professionals and growers across Canada, the United States, and as far away as New Zealand. After 23 years with the BC government, Tim continued his work privately with South Valley Sales, where his knowledge and service remained highly valued for many more years. Patient, generous, and deeply committed to producers, he supported growers across multiple commodities—especially tree fruits and grapes—for 43 years before retiring at age 68.

The family enjoyed camping road trips, travelling all over North America in a truck and camper, with the boys sharing a seatbelt in the single-cab truck. Summer was also enjoyed at the family cabin on Okanagan Lake every summer with extended family.

Tim was a relentless supporter of his own children in sport growing up and continued to support his grandchildren, cheering from the stands as they grew up. Tim was a woodworker, cabinetmaker, gardener, curler, family historian and photographer. He also loved local literature and art. A lifelong learner, he was always reading—whether for pleasure or to deepen his knowledge. Perfectionism best described the care he brought to anything he did.

Tim and Dorothy loved to travel to Hawaii and made many trips in winter during their retirement. Kauai was one of his favourite places. Sharing meals outside on the patio with fresh produce from the garden was a staple with Tim in the summer. In recent years, Tim has led a quiet life enjoying his house and spending quality time with his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of life will be announced in the near future.