Benjamin Earl Watson

Sorry to share tragic news over the holidays but we’ve been processing the event all week and it seems appropriate now to share the news with others. Our son, Benjamin Earl Watson (26), chose to end his life the evening of Monday, December 18, 2023. At 11 p.m., his brother, Joshua, and I found him at his apartment in Corvallis OR. He died of nitrogen gas asphyxiation by his own hand. Police officers and a coroner responded to my 911 call. We stayed until Ben’s body was transported to a local funeral home. Ben left a tender good-bye note on his computer. On Thursday, December 21, 2023, we held a private family viewing. DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home & Crematory will host an obituary page for Ben. There will be a memorial service this spring in Lacey, WA, with a zoom link available. On Friday and Saturday, December 22 and 23, David, Josh, and I moved Ben’s belongings out of his apartment. After Ben’s attempted suicide in July 2023, and subsequent recovery, he was healing, responding well to new medication and therapy. Unfortunately, in October 2023 he lost his job where he was a lead lab tech guy at a start-up green company. Ongoing isolation required by a misdemeanor conviction in 2019, and made worse by COVID 19, caused loneliness and despair. Throughout this period, his probation officer was aggressive in her search for probation violations, real or unsubstantiated, and was vindictive in her response to the alleged violations. The job loss, when he was making great progress in recovery, was too much. We do not define Ben by his death but by his life. We understand his agency to make choices and we were glad when his choices brought peace. We loved Ben’s ability to find humor and adventure in life but we mourn his loss of hope for the future. We treasure his capacity to love with his whole heart but wish he had shared his pain sooner. He felt so alone. Those of us left behind ache at the loss of him. Every day is a gift. Please take care of your mental health and love and encourage those around you to do the same. The Savior’s atonement is real. We feel His love and comfort. Thank you for your kind thoughts, acts of service, and tender expressions. Thank you for your friendship with Ben. Most of the attached photos are from the past several months. A more detailed, or appropriate, obituary will follow in this space. Vince & Lisa Watson Celebration of Life Zoom link: Https://zoom.us/webinar/97732489940

Benjamin Earl Watson

April 29, 1997 - December 18, 2023