John Charles Watson II

John graduated cum laude from Butler University in 1975. In the fall of that year, he began graduate work at Indiana University where he earned his PhD in 1982. John received a post-doctoral fellowship to continue his research at the Carnegie Institution in Palo Alto, CA. In the fall of 1986, John moved to College Park, MD to begin his academic and research career at the University of Maryland as an assistant professor from 1986-1994. John and his wife, Charlotte, returned to Indianapolis for John to continue his teaching and research at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis). John loved the look in his students’ eyes as they realized the complicated mechanisms in plants.

John served as Faculty President for four years before retiring from the University in 2023.

John loved visiting state and national parks while tent camping, hiking, and photographing plants, redwood trees, animals, and birds. During the summers, he planted vegetable and flower gardens at home.

While living in Bloomington and Maryland, he followed men’s college basketball. That passion grew as a Butler season ticket holder through last season. John was passionate about IndyCar and Formula 1 races at the speedway.

John was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Loye Jane and Russell Winders and brother-in-law, Tom Carr.

He is survived by his loving wife Charlotte Carr Watson; beloved brothers David (Carolyn) Watson and James (Barbara) Watson; brother-in-law Stephen (Barbara) Carr and sister-in-law, Katharine Carr; as well as cherished nieces and nephews, and a host of grateful colleagues and former students.

A celebration of John's life will be held on October 11, 2025 at Acorn Farm in Carmel (15466 Oak Road) from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested in John's name to the Indiana Parkinson's Foundation, 14350 Mundy Dr. Ste 800, Noblesville, IN 46060.