Dwight “Red” E. Wathen, 72, of Owensboro passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Jewish Hospital in Louisville. The Henderson County native was born November 16, 1952, to the late Robert Carl Wathen and Mary Elva Thompson Wathen. Red attended Owensboro High School and then enlisted in the Army at age 17. After a brief time stationed in Germany, he did a tour in Vietnam as a Medic with the 101st Airborne. Red was employed in the shipping department at Commonwealth Aluminum and retired from Aleris in 2018. As a real MacGyver, he could fix anything and often did for the neighborhood kids. Red had many talents and abilities among which were water skiing (slalom and barefoot), billiards (“Wathen pool”), cards (Christmas poker), and “spit shining” boots. He was an excellent marksman and devoted member of the NRA. Red enjoyed riding his motorcycle, was an avid reader, and loved animals, especially his two dogs, Snickers and Zoey. He was a kind, compassionate, and selfless man with a touch of OCD, he was always on time! The most important thing Red ever did was, after 33 years, rededicate his life to Christ.
In addition to his parents, Dwight also was preceded in death by his two brothers, Phillip and Gary Wathen.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 46 years, Mary Jo Porter Wathen; three daughters, Misty Baker (Rick) of Whitesville, Gretchen Brack (Billy), and Lyndsey Boling (David) both of Owensboro; seven grandchildren, Josh Baker (Karen), Jacob Baker (Olivia), Aleisha Jones (Greg), Kaitlyn Brack, Madison Brack (Bryce), Elias Wathen, and Payslee Boling; eight great grandchildren; two brothers, David and Robert (Evelyn) Wathen; close friend and brother-in-law, Mark Porter; numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be noon Saturday, March 29 at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be Friday from 3:00 until 7:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of the service. A private burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery in Henderson.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to His Church, 4810 Frederica Street Owensboro, KY 42301.
Condolences and memories for Red’s family may be left at www.glenncares.com.