John Thompson Watson

JOHN THOMPSON WATSON died Thursday, November 22, 2001. He was 77. He was born on October 12, 1924 in San Antonio, Texas to Horace McRee and Marguerite (Thompson) Watson. He was a graduate of both Lamar High School in 1942 and the University of Texas where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. During WWII, John served his country in the United States Army Air Corps. In 1940, his father founded Watson Distributing Company, which was associated with the patent of the first golf cart known as "arthritis special" and was tested first at the Houston Country Club. Serving as chairman until his retirement last year, his company was very supportive of the University of Texas football and golf programs, Golf Course Superintendents Association, and professional golf. He was an avid golfer, hunter, fisherman and member of the 200 Horns Club. He was also a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church and the Houston Country Club. He is survived by his wife Beverly Watson; daughter Hannah McManus and her husband, Jeff; son John G. Watson and his wife, Nora; brother H. Craig Watson and his wife Velma; sister-in-law Audrey Dillon and her husband Brien; step-children John Cunningham and his wife Cindy, Beverly Shaeffer and her husband Scott, Patty McNiel and her husband Ferguson; niece Laura Watson; great niece Bree Martin; his grandchildren who knew him affectionately as "Boom" or "Big John", Eugene and Elliott Watson, Catherine Cunningham, Carrie and John Shaeffer, Douglas and Robert McNiel, and Clare and Henry McManus. A memorial service will be conducted at 11:30 in the morning on Monday, November 26, 2001 in the chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive. Rev. Bill Stell will be officiating. In lieu of flowers and for those desiring, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77027 or a charity of your choice.