Vernon Watson was a hard-working man of integrity who endeavored to pass his values along to younger generations.

        A paper handler foreman for the Enquirer for 27 years, he was a “dedicated employee and a very good manager,” said newsprint manager Frank Woesman. “Vernon was a firm boss but very fair. He had the utmost respect from his employees. We called him Papa because he treated us like his sons.”

        Mr. Watson died Friday of congestive heart failure at Good Samaritan Hospital. The Mount Auburn resident was 76.

        Born in De Kalb, Miss., in 1926, Mr. Watson came to Cincinnati when his family moved here to find work during the Depression. They settled in the West End, where as a 7-year-old boy, he joined Calvary Baptist Church.

        Mr. Watson was educated at Harriet Beecher Stowe and Dyer schools and earned money throughout his boyhood doing yard work and delivering newspapers.

        In his early 20s he trained to box and later competed in matches in Ohio and neighboring states.

        “He won a lot, but lost some, too,” said his daughter Vernice Appling of Avondale. “He met up with some of the guys like Joe Louis.”

        Mr. Watson also loved pool, checkers, fishing and conversation.

        “Daddy was very versed on history, especially black history,” said his daughter. “He shared a lot with those who were young — kind of laying the foundation — about things they were not maybe aware of.

        “He could hold a conversation about any- and everything.”

        He also tried to counsel young people. One of his favorite sayings was, “If you make your bed hard, you have to lie in it.”

        Mr. Watson worked in construction and for the railroads before coming to work for the Enquirer, where he garnered respect as a hard worker and a caring man. He retired in 1988.

        “He was a man of integrity,” said his daughter, “a man who knew God and stood firm on his beliefs.”

        In addition to his daughter, survivors include Beatrice, his wife of 58 years; another daughter, Rhonda Bryan of Bond Hill; a brother, William Watson of Roselawn; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

        Visitation is 11 a.m. Thursday followed by the funeral at noon at Thompson, Hall & Jordan Funeral Home, 11400 Winton Road, Forest Park. Interment is in Spring Grove Cemetery.

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