Dates
David George Watson, 81, died Tuesday, April 22 at the Bronte Health and Rehab Center with his wife and older daughter, Jill, by his side. He had been debilitated by dementia and Parkinson’s Disease, and it was time for him to go home and be reunited with friends and relatives that had gone before him.
Dave was born to George Henry and Maybelle Watson in Baltimore MD on August 21, 1943. The family settled permanently in Chicago IL where he grew up attending Oak Park schools. Dave was very intelligent and was a great athlete and a “gym rat” who loved exercise and being fit. He played all sports in school and excelled in all of them. After graduating from Oak Park High School in Chicago, he went to Michigan State University to play baseball. Baseball was his sport of choice, playing into his forties. He had professional aspirations that never worked out. He was also an avid golfer until his knees limited his playing time
Dave met his first wife Jan, at Michigan State and they married in 1964. They had three children, Jill, Tanya, and David II. They were all “bonus” children to Marifrances as they immediately treated her as one of the family. They have all been her rock through Dave’s ill health.
Selling was Dave’s passion and found making a “cold call” exciting and challenging. He could sell anything and did. His favorite years were in Seguin, Texas, where he owned two mobile home dealerships. From Seguin he went to Lewisville, Kentucky to become office manager for his younger brother Tom’s law office. Upon Tom’s passing, Dave came back to Texas near his children and eventually to San Angelo.
Dave met his second wife, Marifrances, at the San Angelo Bridge Club over a bridge game. He was a brilliant player and for ten years won the most points among the non-life master players. They played as partners for five great years and then decided to become life partners on April 15, 2011. He was the love of her life, had a big personality full of love, laughter and good friends. When Dave made a friend if was for a lifetime. He never lost touch with friends or family, calling them regularly.
Dave was a member of many service organizations wherever he lived. In San Angelo he joined the Downtown Lion’s Club. He loved the pancake dinners and went to help in the Lion’s Club Children’s Camp in Kerrville yearly. He would help anyone and could always refer you to someone that provided the service you needed.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents and brother Thomas Watson and a beloved brother-in law, Terrence Brown. He is survived by his wife Marifrances of San Angelo, daughters Jill Holden (John) of Kerrville, Tanya Smith (Loren) of Humble, and son David Watson II of San Angelo. He is also survived by grandchildren Jacqulin Civello of Norfolk, VA; Dominic Civello of Kerrville; Jaden and Jordan Smith of Humble; and great- grandson Warren May of Norfolk, VA. He is also survived by his sisters Judy Brown of Lewisville, KY; and Sally Burres (Leonard) of Goodyear, AZ. Also grieving his passing are two stepdaughters, Misty Davis of Bronte and Melinda Mackey of Blackwell, four step-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a private family celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the San Angelo Bridge Club, 619 Locust Street, San Angelo, TX 76901 or your favorite charity.
I have a special thank you to all the caring staff at Bronte Health and Rehab Center and to Gentiva Hospice of San Angelo. They all were so kind and took excellent care of Dave.