PORTLAND - Jedidiah (Jypsy, JD) Watson, 44, of Portland died on Aug. 6, 2024 in Falmouth after being struck and killed by a hit and run driver one day before his 45th birthday.

Jedidiah was the loving son of Ray Mona Young and David W. Young of Poland.  He was born Aug. 7, 1979 in Bath and attended Bath Schools before moving to Portland where he graduated from Portland Adult Ed.

Jed had a heart of gold and a Jypsy soul with a need to live life on his own terms. He was a very intelligent man who would rather help someone else than do something for himself. Jed was unhoused at the time of his death, living in the Portland, Maine community. He was working towards beginning another start to his Jypsy way of life. His new beginning was within reach on some levels, yet so far removed from his hands due to lack of community services/funding for the unhoused here in Maine. Jed wanted to be and have a positive role in his children's lives, but, believed (in his eyes) he had to be housed and financially stable for that. He loved all of his children and wanted the best for them.

Jed (Jypsy) had many people in the Portland unhoused community who loved him, and who he loved and called family. These were "his people" as he would say. The free spirited, the "Men Who Don't Fit In".

Jed was preceded in death by a brother, Ernest (Tattoo Tim) Watson, both maternal and paternal grandparents, as well as his biological father Preston Hart Jr.

Jed is Survived by a very large family who will forever miss his contagious smile and loving hugs:

Mother, Ray Mona Young and Father, David Young of Poland, Maine.

Children: Layla (Jesse) Watson, Jaden Watson, Destiny Watson, Olivia Bates, Dylan Young and Justin Young.

Sister, Tasha Buxton-Randolph and Husband Mark Randolph of Wasilla, Alaska; Sister, Melissa (Missy) Hart of Boothbay, Maine; Sister, Ayesya Hart and wife Rosie Hart of Litchfield, Maine; Brother, Eric Hart of Maine

Nieces and Nephews: Brian Burr Jr, two children and wife Audrey Burr; Amber Clark-Griffin, five children and partner Justin Tindol; TJ Watson and one child; Gin-Akemi Crabb-Berry and wife Katie Crabb-Berry; Jeremiah Hart; Niece Katie; Niece Lee.

Along with many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and their children, and other extended family.

Services to be held at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland, Maine, on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Viewing/Visiting from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m.

Jed will be cremated and placed at Glennside Cemetery in Winthrop, Maine, next to his brother, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local Unhoused Community.