Kevin Lee Watson

1988 ~ 2020

Kevin Lee Watson, age 32, born April 12, 1988 in Kingman, Mohave, Arizona, died July 9, 2020 in Christiansburg, Montgomery, Virginia following a valiant, 14-month battle with a very aggressive brain cancer. He passed away peacefully, tenderly embraced by his wife, Jennifer Sedgwick Watson and children, Abigail Hazel (8), Christian Thomas (5), Nicholas James (3), and Ethan Charles (2).

Beloved eldest son of Brian Lee Watson and the late Karen Burnett Watson, step-son of Kristin Watson, brother to Susan (Joseph) Settle and Shawn (Courtney) Watson, uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was also declared to be a missing brother of the Sedgwick family when I asked about this young man who had swept my daughter off her feet during her first semester at BYU. Kevin befriended all he met and willingly served wherever needed.

Kevin was a doctoral candidate in the Mathematics Department at Virginia Tech, with a research program that focused on undergraduate math education. He earned a Master's Degree in Mathematics from Virginia Tech, as well as a Master's Degree and Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics Education from Brigham Young University. He graduated from Springville High School. To quote his advisor, Dr. Megan Wawro, "Kevin was a valued member of the Virginia Tech community. His kindness, positive energy, and curiosity will be sorely missed."

Kevin served a two-year mission in the Australia Sydney South Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the people and the country. Most of all he relished sharing his love for the Savior and the gospel. He held many callings in the Church. I know one of his most favorite was teaching and leading singing for the children in Primary.

I would like to quote a remembrance written by my daughter, Siri. She lived with Jenny and Kevin during her first year at BYU and came to Virginia for a couple of extended visits. When Jenny read this, she felt it expressed everything she wanted to say about Kevin.

"How does one describe a life? How to sum it up and find the total? Look at what you've done and measure the significance by fame, fortune or power? Is it by your family and loved ones and how they remember you?

How does one describe a life? Perhaps it is by every moment, added up slowly over the minutes, hours, days, months, years. Perhaps it is by how you spend those minutes. I like that thought. That every minute adds up and every minute you spend on something is totaled at the end of your life. The time you spend serving. The time you spend loving. The time you spend hurting, repenting, trying.

Kevin, for what it's worth, I think you spent your minutes well.

I remember how you smiled when you were with Jenny. I remember thinking, "My sister found a wonderful man who loves her." I remember your love of singing. You had a beautiful voice that blended so well with Jenny's. I remember how much you loved teaching math and how passionate you were about doing it well. I remember that even though you had work, school, and research, you still made time for your family. You worked so hard for your family. I remember that in the year I lived in your home, you spent time with Jenny and your children, loving and caring for them. I remember thinking how well Jenny and you worked together and hoping I might find a love like that. I remember going on trips and how much you loved planning them and how you were able to find really good deals! I remember the patience you had when Jenny and I would get together and have our late-night talks. I remember you didn't talk much, but when you did, it meant something. I remember your faith and how you taught your children, even though it was hard sometimes. I remember the love you had for your children and how their faces lit up the room when you came home. They love you so much. I remember good times, sad times, and fun times. But most of all I remember you, Kevin, and your impact on those around you.

Others may measure a life differently, but I hold to the idea that a life is measured by the hearts touched and lifted. By how often you got back up even when you were pushed down. By how you tried your best even if everything else is messed up. By the Spirit you brought into the room and how important your faith was to you.

Thank you, Kevin, for showing (all of us) an example of how to spend (our) minutes. "

Written by: Cynthia Sedgwick, July 9, 2020