John C. Watson Sr.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 19, 2013 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Paul Thompson and Rev. Woody Farrington officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Byrd Funeral Home on West Main Street directing. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Thursday prior to service time.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, “Mission Program” 901 Montezuma Ave., Dothan, AL 36301.

Mr. Watson was born December 26, 1930 in Akron, Ohio and lived the early years of his life in Montgomery, AL. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and later graduated from the University of Alabama. In 1978, he moved to Dothan where he lived the remainder of his life.

Mr. Watson was employed with Ansel’s for twelve years and later as transportation manager at Qualico Steel. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he served as chairman of the deacons, Sunday School Teacher and was instrumental in establishing the Builders Guild. Mission work was dear to his heart as he helped others not only in his church but those in his community, across the nation and abroad. Mr. Watson will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by all who knew him.

Mr. Watson is predeceased by his parents, Nell and Flynn Watson and sister, Barbara Findley.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gloria Watson of Dothan; three children, John Charles Watson, Jr. (Roxanne) of Eugene, OR, Mike Watson of Atlanta, GA and Pat Shelley (Kevin) of Spokane, WA; three grandchildren, Griff Shelley, Victoria Watson and Savannah Watson; one niece and two nephews.

Honorary pallbearers will be Deacons of Calvary Baptist Church and the Lighthouse Sunday School Class.