Lt. Col. Damon Thomas Watson USMC (Ret.)

Lieutenant Colonel Damon T. Watson, USMC (Ret.), age 76, of Sun City West, Arizona, passed away on October 22, 2025.

A proud Marine, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Damon lived a life guided by honor, service, and deep commitment to those he loved.

Damon Thomas Watson was born on September 12, 1949, in Los Angeles, California, and graduated from California State University at Sonoma in 1974 with a degree in Physical Education. Before entering military service, he worked with the Sonoma County Juvenile Probation Department and coached football at Santa Rosa High School.

In 1977, he attended Officer Candidates School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. After completing The Basic School and Infantry Officers Course in Quantico, Virginia, 2ndLt. Watson was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, where he served as a Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Adjutant. In 1980, 1stLt. Watson was transferred to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, where he completed scuba, airborne, and reconnaissance indoctrination school, and served as a Platoon Commander, Para-ops Officer, and Company Commander. He was later transferred to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion in Okinawa, Japan, where he served as Deep Recon Platoon Commander and Rifle Company Commander.

In 1982, he returned to Quantico as an Infantry Tactics Instructor and Staff Platoon Commander at The Basic School. He was promoted to Captain later that year. In 1985, Capt. Watson attended the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, graduating 7th of 235 students. Following this, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, Camp Pendleton, where he commanded both Rifle Company and Weapons Company. He was later assigned to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, as Commander of Company C and serving as S-3 Operations Officer of the Infantry Training Battalion, before being promoted to Major in 1989.

In 1990, Maj. Watson earned his Master's Degree in Educational Administration from National University in San Diego. and was also in 1990, assigned as Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station Phoenix, Arizona. After completing that tour, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia, then was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa as a Plans Officer in the G-3. Upon his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in 1995, he was transferred to the 12th Marine Corps District in San Diego, California, where he served as the District Recruiting Operations Officer.

LtCol Watson's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal with one star and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one star. among other unit and service awards recognizing his leadership and dedication throughout more than two decades of distinguished service.

After retiring from the Marine Corps in 1997, Damon settled in Avondale, Arizona, where he continued to lead and inspire as the Senior Military Instructor for the JROTC program at Westview High School. He taught Leadership and Marksmanship until his second retirement in 2013. During his time at Westview, he also served as the Varsity Softball Coach, where his dedication to his players' athletic and personal development helped many earn college scholarships and inspired several to follow in his footsteps of service and leadership. He left behind a legacy that will continue to live on through his family, his students, and the Marines that he led.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sheila Fallon Watson; his daughters Michelle Alfonso (Juan) of Pasadena, CA, Katie Watson of Pasadena, CA, and Beth Watson of Long Island City, NY; and by Sheila's sons, Adam Prosak of Renton, WA, and Aaron Prosak (Meredith) of Fall Branch, TN. Damon was a proud grandfather to Mateo Alfonso, Miguel Alfonso, Gavin Watson, Corinne Prosak, and Simon Prosak -each of whom brought him immense joy and pride.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the Sun City West Foundation – Webb Room, 14465 W. RJ Johnson Blvd, Sun City West, AZ. Receiving Friends at 2:00PM. Service 3:00PM and Fellowship and Food at 4:00. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of a remarkable man whose strength, humility, and devotion touched every life he encountered.

Damon will be remembered for his unwavering loyalty, quiet strength, and the deep love he held for his family, his friends and his country.

Semper Fidelis.