There will be a visitation at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary in Columbus, Georgia from 4 to 6pm on Friday the 19th of March. There will be a memorial service for family and close friends at 1pm on Saturday March 20th taking place at Union Baptist Church, 19421 GA Hwy 219 Westpoint, GA; followed by a celebration of life at Dave’s home in Pine Mountain.
Dave was born to Clifford and Bert Watson on January 5, 1941 in Barbour County, Alabama. He was predeceased by his mother, father, and infant sister Patricia Lynn, and loving wife of 40 years, Nina Sue Watson.
He is survived by his wife Cilla and children Lynne (Richard)Shaw, St. Helena Island, SC; Neal (Paige)Watson, Tyrone, GA; and Amy Watson, St. Augustine Beach, FL. In addition Cilla’s daughter Katherine(George) Trussell, and son Reed Shaw of Columbus, GA. Also brothers Earl (Shirley), Pensacola, FL; Frank (Frieda), Delano, TN; Terry, Montgomery, AL; and sister Jane (Dennis) Hartzog, Middleburg, FL. Grandchildren: Clay (Madison) Watson, Emily Watson, Abbigale Shaw, and Caroline Shaw; Katherine’s children Charlie, Henry and JC Houpt and Reed’s son Christopher, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Dave Watson was considered one of the best athletes in the history of Eufaula High School where he starred for the Tigers in football and basketball (1954-1958). He played under legendary Eufaula High coaches A. W. "Bill" Buchanan in football (the Tigers record was 27-9 during Watson's playing career at Eufaula) and basketball under Jack Powell where he played on a district championship team during his senior year. He was so beloved he even had his own Fan Club! Watson was a two time All-State selection in high school, as a two-way lineman, and was a three time All-SEC performer at Georgia Tech (1959-1963). He was chosen AP lineman of the week in 1961 for his outstanding play against Duke University. In the game, he recorded 12 individual tackles, numerous assists, and a fumble recovery while playing on both sides of the ball. Watson was chosen Most Valuable Lineman in the 1962-1963 Hula Bowl college all-star game and is a member of the All Time Gator Bowl team.
In 1962, Watson played in one of Georgia Tech's biggest wins in their storied football history. The Bobby Dodd coached Jackets upset Bear Bryant's Alabama Crimson Tide, in Atlanta, on November 14 of that year and ended the Tide’s quest for a second straight national championship in what many Tech fans consider the greatest game ever played at Historic Grant Field. He was a Georgia Tech Football All American and in 1980 inducted into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame.
He went on to play professional football with the Boston Patriots in the old American Football League(1963-1964) and the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (1965). He is a member of the Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame (the Wiregrass is a region in southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and northwest Florida). After his playing career ended he returned to Georgia Tech for a short time and then began a career in Columbus, Georgia.
Dave’s genuine love of all people and ability to cultivate lasting relationships aided his long and successful career in sales. Many of his work colleagues became lifelong friends. He valued every person he came to know. Spending time and socializing with his friends was a truly fulfilling part of his existence. Whether it be on the golf course, racquetball court, or playing Monopoly and card games with his family, he was very competitive in a fun loving way. Many wonderful times were spent on the back porch in Pine Mountain with friends and family enjoying the sounds of the creek and listening to his favorite music.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Columbus Hospice, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the Bobby Dodd Institute in Atlanta, or a charity of your choice.
