craigdailypress.com

She was the first lady to be initiated into the Craig Elks Lodge and the first woman to be named exalted ruler.

And she's going to leave some big shoes to fill.

Craig resident Dora Watson, Craig Elks Lodge member since 2001, has decided to step down from her position as exalted ruler to pursue a more leisurely life.

"I want to sit back and enjoy life for awhile," Watson said.

Watson said she and her husband, Jody Watson, have decided to move to Grand Junction because the cold Craig winters are starting to "eat them up."

On May 22, Doug Thomas will become exalted ruler.

In 2001, Watson was asked to become a member of the Craig Elks Lodge. Inviting women to join the club was something that the national organization was just beginning to do, according to Watson, and that the Craig lodge had never done.

"I said that if it would save the Elks Lodge here in Craig, I'd join in a heart beat," she said.

Watson said she jumped right into helping with the Hoop Shoot, working bingo and getting other things done.

"(Initiating women) is really an asset to the lodge because they put forth effort in doing stuff," Watson said.

Watson moved to Craig in 1968 and worked at the post office for 30 years before retiring.

She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Ladies Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Thomas said he wants to continue many of the things Watson contributed to during her reign.

The Hoop Shoot, providing scholarship contests and bingo were a few he named.

"She would do anything in the world for you," Thomas said about the first woman to become a Craig Elks Lodge member. "She's a regular work horse."

Watson said she plans to stay a member of the Elks, but plans to keep a low profile once she moves to Grand Junction.

"It's time to look out for me," Watson said. "I enjoyed it."

John Henry can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 209, or jhenry@craigdailypress.com.