Larry Watson

WATSON, Larry - February 14, 1947-June 11, 2007. Larry Watson left us on Monday, June 11th after a courageous five-year battle with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, a disorder characterized by severe, chronic pain, for which there is no current cure. He is survived by his wife, Susan, stepdaughter Topaz Dent, sister and brother in law Marty and John Mundt, step sister and brother, Lurayne and Glenn Smith, nieces and nephews Christy and Pete Mundt, Hammond Limbong, and David and Lisa Dent. Larry, creator of Bustelos Very Hot Pepper Sauces, led a life as interesting and complex as his sauce. He was a former treasure hunter, tropical fisherman, tour guide, engineer, gourmet cook and always an artist. Born in Oregon, to Gay Bubar and Larry Watson, Larry spent his teenage years in Idaho as part of a blended family of six teenagers. He enrolled at University of Idaho for a year, but adventure called and Larry left college to follow his heart. After a short stint in the hotel business in Key West, Florida, his stepbrother, Glenn, recruited him as the road manager for his rock band, Mt Rushmore (a Bay Area legend). Larry first fell in love with Sonoma County when the band played The Inn Of The Beginning in Cotati. Larry and his first wife, Frances Beach, lived in the area for a year while he attended SRJC but eventually he decided to move on. It was in Cholula, Mexico, while attending The University of the America's Latin American Program that Larry began his life long fascination with chilies, learning the ancient art of smoking and blending from the local town "Chilero". His first marriage ended but Larry's quest for adventure continued. He moved to Key West and fished commercially, eventually joining a crew of treasure hunters searching for 17th century Spanish Galleons. Larry returned to Sonoma County 32 years ago and began working with Robert Weiss and, later, artist Tony Evans as a production potter and glazier. Larry segued from Pottery to working as a draftsman and later Mechanical Engineer and was able to utilize his skills in science, mathematics and art. In 1986, Larry married his second wife Susan, and became stepfather to her daughter, Topaz. When mechanical engineering began to loose its charm, Larry decided to launch his sauce line. With friends, Mike Sanders and Gabe Krause, Larry developed Bustelos Hot Sauce at Gerard Nebesky's legendary Bohemian Caf‚. Bustelos quickly became the local favorite hot sauce. Larry's love for the ocean dates from childhood, but it truly came alive again as a result of his friendship with Scott Becklund, Tsunami Ranger and manager of Pacific Market's Meat and Fish Department. Larry and Susan shared their most precious times together on the ocean, kayaking. We all miss him terribly. A memorial will be held for Larry on Friday, July 6, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Doran Beach, and a celebration on Saturday, July 7, 2:00 p.m. ongoing, at Pignoli Restaurant, Occidental.