Glen Watson, US Navy Veteran

Orval Glen Watson

August 20, 1942 – July 6, 2026

Orval Glen Watson, known to all as Glen, passed away on July 6, 2026, after several years living with Alzheimer's disease. He was 83 years old. Glen was born on August 20, 1942, in Glasgow, Montana. His family later moved to Salinas, California. In 1962, Glen joined the United States Navy, where he volunteered for submarine duty — a decision that would define much of his life's work and pride. Glen married Betty Adams in 1967, and they had two children, Jeff and Lori.

Glen served aboard the USS Bonefish (SS-582), the USS Seahorse (SS-669), and the USS Pintado (SSN-672), a fast-attack nuclear submarine, where he rose to become Chief of the Boat. Among his proudest achievements was surfacing at the North Pole aboard the Pintado in 1978. Glen was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, COMSUBPAC Letter of Commendation and was awarded the title of Golden Shellback. Glen retired from the Navy in 1982 after two decades of service.

Following his retirement, Glen settled in San Diego, where he became a technical writer for the defense industry, Solar Turbines, Cubic Corporation, and Cymer.

In 1996, Glen married Margaret "Marg" Ward Clore. This past April, they celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Together, Glen and Marg made their home in Carlsbad, California; Bigfork, Montana; Fairhope, Alabama; and finally, Ocala, Florida. Glen is survived by his wife, Marg Watson, and his children, Jeff Watson and Lori O’Connor, daughter-in-law Deanna Watson, granddaughters Syndey Watson, and Sierra Kiesling-Barolli, great-grandson Nolan Barolli, ex-wife Betty Watson, and his brother and best friend Gordon Watson.