Michael Watson

Michael Watson

Michael Donald Watson, 59, of Lincoln, passed away December 2, 2025. Michael was born on July 22, 1966 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He grew up in Beaverton, Ore. with his parents and two sisters. As a child, he played soccer and enjoyed fishing with his family. He fondly recalls many trips, especially those along the Northwest coast, including Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, a destination he visited multiple times throughout his entire life.

Mike attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Software, and formed friendships that would continue for the rest of his life, not the least of which was his future wife.

After graduation, Michael worked on the F-15 Eagle for McDonnell Douglas. He then moved to Colorado Springs, Colo. where he worked in Missile Defense with Hughes Aircraft and enjoyed skiing with his many friends. After several years in the defense industry, Mike moved into the Private sector where he worked for several companies including USWest, DEXMedia, and Paypal. In Colorado he formed many personal and professional relationships that he held dear for the rest of his life.

Mike moved to Nebraska in 1997, and married Sara in 1998. He adopted Wesley and Kayla, children from Sara's prior marriage, and raised them alongside their biological son, William Watson. Michael's children are grateful that he treated them all equally, and they appreciate everything that he did for them over the years. Mike shared his love of travel with his family whenever he could, and was thankful for the many trips they took together.

In 2013, Mike returned to Colorado Springs, reprising his role working in Missile Defense, this time with Boecore, which later became Auria. Mike was honored to be able to contribute to the US National Defense, and was grateful for the personal and professional support he received from Boecore/Auria throughout his career there, especially after he received his terminal cancer diagnosis.

He and his family will always be thankful for the professional opportunities he was given and for the support of his supervisors, past and present, many of whom he considered dear friends.

Mike's hobbies were often centered around engineering challenges, such as a way to detect when animals were waiting at the back door (the "Ex-outdoor cats" and "ferocious kittens" still text their humans daily for entrance). Mike never found a problem he was unwilling to solve, either using a technology he already knew or by finding one he could research until he was confident in its application. His stubborn refusal to admit defeat was his greatest strength, and continued in his final weeks, much as it had defined his search for problem resolutions in projects big and small from F-15 navigation, Missile identification, and Y2K to pet detection, retrofitting a vehicle for backup cams, and fixing a snowblower.

Michael is survived by his wife, Sara; and children, Wesley Stone, Kayla (husband Aaron) Lott, and William Watson; grandchildren, Ember Stone, Eskel Lott, Rowan Lott, Elijah Lott and Juliet Lott; his father, Donald Watson; two sisters, Patti (husband Kevin) Mapes and Kathi (husband Nick Scorn) Watson; brother-in-law, William Stone III, and several nieces.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Ann.

There will be a Memorial Service held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Butherus Maser and Love funeral home, 4040 A St, Lincoln. The service will be livestreamed, visit www.bmlfh.com for the link.

Memorials are suggested to The Cat House or Doctors Without Borders.

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