Doretha Dee Ann Watson
1927 - 2015 (88 years)
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Name Doretha Dee Ann Watson Birth 7 Nov 1927 Ogden, Weber, UT 
Gender Female Death 8 Nov 2015 Cloverdale, Sonoma, CA - Doretha Ann (Dee) Runnings November 7, 1927 November 8, 2015 Dee passed away on November 8 in Cloverdale, California, the day after her 88th birthday. Born in Ogden, Utah, she moved to the Bay Area at a young age. After High School, she married a tall, handsome cowboy, Robert (Bob) Runnings. Soon after, they welcomed daughter Marti to the family. Bob worked for Tidewater Oil which required them to move frequently. Each place they landed, Dee always held a good job and enjoyed working. They finally settled in Potter Valley, California in 1965 purchasing their dream ranch on 40 acres. Shortly after moving north, she and Bob took a big leap into partnership with close friends Bill and Karen Crawford on a western store. The Tack Room soon became the place to purchase quality western wear and specialty, handmade tack. A staple in Ukiah, California for nearly four decades, when similar western style stores were coming and going, The Tack Room became a beacon in western wear. Residents from Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma Counties regular made the trip to see Dee and purchase high-end tack, saddles, boots and all things western. Dee was a savvy businesswomen and took great pride in her store. Many of her customers became lifelong friends and employees became family. It was bittersweet for Dee when The Tack Room doors finally closed for the last time in 2008. Dee was a mere 80 years young. In addition to the business, she enjoyed raising champion Quarter Horses and watching her family compete and win in western performance horse events. With movie star looks and a vivacious personality, Dee loved to listen to good music and dance with Bob. She enjoyed reading historical books, debating politics, playing Jeopardy and staying up late to watch the day's news. She cherished her small family and was the glue that held them tight. Bob passed away in 2010. Dee spent her final years under the care of Cloverdale Healthcare Center. A special "thank you" to the loving staff. She leaves her daughter Marti Runnings Fonsen, son-in-law Stan Fonsen, grandson Brian Fonsen, granddaughter Katie Fonsen Young, her husband Brent Young and great granddaughter Lucy Dee Young. Dee spent her 88th birthday and her last day with family, meeting her 8 day old great granddaughter, Lucy, on a beautiful sunny day trading one angel for another. A celebration of life will be held at the family ranch next spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dee's name to The Living Room Center, 636 Cherry Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.
Published in Ukiah Daily Journal on Nov. 15, 2015
Doretha Ann Runnings
in the U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-2018
Name: Doretha Ann Runnings
Gender: Female
Death Age: 88
Birth Date: 7 Nov 1927
Residence Place: Cloverdale, California, USA
Death Date: 8 Nov 2015
Newspaper Title: Legacy
Spouse: Robert (Bob) Runnings
Children: Marti; Marti Runnings Fonsen, son-in-law Stan Fonsen
Person ID I41181 Drollinger Genealogy Last Modified 4 Mar 2021
Father James Robert Watson, b. 27 Jan 1899, Ogden, Weber, UT d. 7 Aug 1974, Yountville, Napa, CA (Age 75 years) Mother Thelma Louise Lewis, b. 14 Dec 1901, Argentine, Wyandotte, KS d. 20 Nov 1966, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA (Age 64 years) Family ID F15865 Group Sheet | Family Chart
- Doretha Ann (Dee) Runnings November 7, 1927 November 8, 2015 Dee passed away on November 8 in Cloverdale, California, the day after her 88th birthday. Born in Ogden, Utah, she moved to the Bay Area at a young age. After High School, she married a tall, handsome cowboy, Robert (Bob) Runnings. Soon after, they welcomed daughter Marti to the family. Bob worked for Tidewater Oil which required them to move frequently. Each place they landed, Dee always held a good job and enjoyed working. They finally settled in Potter Valley, California in 1965 purchasing their dream ranch on 40 acres. Shortly after moving north, she and Bob took a big leap into partnership with close friends Bill and Karen Crawford on a western store. The Tack Room soon became the place to purchase quality western wear and specialty, handmade tack. A staple in Ukiah, California for nearly four decades, when similar western style stores were coming and going, The Tack Room became a beacon in western wear. Residents from Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma Counties regular made the trip to see Dee and purchase high-end tack, saddles, boots and all things western. Dee was a savvy businesswomen and took great pride in her store. Many of her customers became lifelong friends and employees became family. It was bittersweet for Dee when The Tack Room doors finally closed for the last time in 2008. Dee was a mere 80 years young. In addition to the business, she enjoyed raising champion Quarter Horses and watching her family compete and win in western performance horse events. With movie star looks and a vivacious personality, Dee loved to listen to good music and dance with Bob. She enjoyed reading historical books, debating politics, playing Jeopardy and staying up late to watch the day's news. She cherished her small family and was the glue that held them tight. Bob passed away in 2010. Dee spent her final years under the care of Cloverdale Healthcare Center. A special "thank you" to the loving staff. She leaves her daughter Marti Runnings Fonsen, son-in-law Stan Fonsen, grandson Brian Fonsen, granddaughter Katie Fonsen Young, her husband Brent Young and great granddaughter Lucy Dee Young. Dee spent her 88th birthday and her last day with family, meeting her 8 day old great granddaughter, Lucy, on a beautiful sunny day trading one angel for another. A celebration of life will be held at the family ranch next spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dee's name to The Living Room Center, 636 Cherry Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.
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Event Map 
Birth - 7 Nov 1927 - Ogden, Weber, UT 
= Link to Google Earth
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Photos 
Obit Photo
Photo courtesy Joni Watson on 28 May 2020
Watson Family Tree at Ancestry.com
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Notes - Dorotha A Watson
in the 1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Dorotha A Watson
Age: 12
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1928
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: Utah
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Home in 1940: Contra Costa, California
Map of Home in 1940: View Map
Street: Concord Oakland Hiway
Inferred Residence in 1935: Same House, Contra Costa, California
Residence in 1935: Same House
Sheet Number: 19B
Father's Birthplace: Utah
Mother's Birthplace: Kansas
Attended School or College: Yes
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 5th grade
Native Language: English
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
James R Watson 41
Thelma L Watson 38
Robert R Watson 17
Dorotha A Watson 12
Richard L Watson 10
Theondore J Watson 4
- Dorotha A Watson