Neal Ainsworth Watson Jr.

Neal Ainsworth Watson, Jr., age 78 passed away peacefully in Jacksonville on August 29th 2017 with his only son Adam by his side. He was born February 14, 1939 in Anderson South Carolina to Sarah Murphy Watson and Neal Ainsworth Watson, Sr. He grew up in Tallahassee and graduated from Leon High School before enlisting in the United States Air Force where he was an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer. From an early age he loved aviation. He spent much of his youth hanging around the Tallahassee airport (Dale Mabry Field) until he was eventually given a job washing airplanes. He got his pilot’s license at an early age and flew and repaired planes for Hudson Aircraft Service Tallahassee. He loved taking leisurely solo flights until he was spotted flying over the favorite fishing hole of Huston Hudson the owner. Due to his Air Force training and love of aviation he was asked by his future mentor Brigadier General William Whittaker to join the Florida Air National guard, 125th Fighter Wing (FANG) in Jacksonville. With encouragement from General Whittaker he eventually went to officer training school, was commissioned and became an intelligence officer and head of avionics. He was interested in all things mechanical especially as they related to planes, trains, automobiles and ships. His mechanical abilities were described as poetic as he loved bringing machines to life and often seemed to defy the laws of nature and physics in his capabilities and depth of knowledge. He volunteered his time as an ace mechanic and technical inspector for American Le Mans sports car racing in the Southeast (12 Hours of Sebring, Daytona 24 Hours, Road Atlanta) and though he was never impressed by fame, he was a friend and confidant to some of the great drivers and celebrities involved in the sport. He loved waterskiing and later became an accomplished snow skier. He was an avid photographer and loved all kinds of music. He particularly loved rock & roll during the 1960s and 70s and enjoyed going to concerts, collecting records and being known as the “cool dad on the block”. His kindness, intelligence, keen wit and love of life will be missed by all who knew him. He is predeceased by his parents Neal Ainsworth Sr., and Sarah Murphy Watson and his half-brother; Michael Warren Watson. He is survived by his son; Adam Watson, daughter in law; Melanie Lemaistre Watson, two grandchildren; Henry Morse and Margaret Blalock (Maggie) Watson, his former wife; Griffin Blalock McGough, half-brother; Joseph Winn Watson, and former friend and companion Linda Joyce Lovejoy and her granddaughter Alexis Staten Lovejoy. The Committal Service with military honors will be held at 11:00AM on September 22, 2017 in the Jacksonville National Cemetery 4083 Lannie Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32218. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jacksonville National Cemetery, or the Jacksonville Humane Society.