Lewis H. Watson

WATSON LEWIS H. WATSON Passed peacefully at his home in Falls Church, VA on August 24, 2011 at age 80 with his devoted wife, Marj and daughter, Donna present. Lew bravely fought a year-long battle with lung cancer attributed to asbestos exposure during nine years of Navy service in the Korean War era. He first served on carriers as an airman, then five years on the USS Mindoro as electrical engineer where he encountered heavy asbestos exposure during the ship's mothballing. His last assignment was the Carrier Intrepid. Lew was born in 1931 in Chickasha, OK, the youngest of six children. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1960 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, later working on the Samos Satellite System. He attended MIT, then American University after moving to the Washington, DC area in 1969 to begin a career in real estate. He later opened his own appraisal firm, Lew Watson and Associates, retiring in 2010. Lew was a Mason with the Chickasha, OK Lodge, a member of McLean Post 270 of the American Legion, served on the Boards of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors, the Arlington County Fair, and Alcoholic Rehabilitation, Inc., now Phoenix House. He was named Service Club Man of the Year in 1983 by Arlington's Inter-Service Club Council. Lew was a long-time member of Round Table International, a service club aiding local charities, serving as International President from 2008-2009. Outgoing, caring and fun loving, Lew had an exuberance and vitality that endeared him to all who knew him. Lew is survived by his sister, Maxine Plumb of Ohio; wife, Marjory; daughters, Donna Pablo and Patricia Abell; son, Matthew; step-son, Tod Massa; five grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Lewis H. Watson, III in 2004. A viewing will be held at Murphy's Funeral Home, Falls Church, on Tuesday, August 30, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Final interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery's Columbarium at a date to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Northern Virginia Knights of the Round Table, c/o Hugh Carmichael, 6133 Beech Dr, Alexandria VA 22310 for disbursement to their charities, the Sheltered Occupational Center of Northern Virginia and Childhelp's Alice Tyler Village, a long-term campus for abused children. Checks, bank checks or money orders are acceptable.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Northern Virginia Knights of the Round Table, c/o Hugh Carmichael, 6133 Beech Dr, Alexandria VA 22310 for disbursement to their charities, the Sheltered Occupational Center of Northern Virginia and Childhelp's Alice Tyler Village, a long-term campus for abused children. Checks, bank checks or money orders are acceptable.