John Daniel Watson

Dan was preceded in death by his wife Jeannette Blocker Watson, parents Roy and Lida Watson, and brother Max Watson.

Dan is survived by his son Mark Watson and daughter-in-law Debbie, daughters Jan Watson and Pam Watson, four grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Wynelle Smith, nine nieces and nephews, as well as other extended family members.

Dan's family moved to Austin when he was a young child, and he attended Austin ISD schools, graduating from Austin High School. He served in the Navy and then returned to Austin to impress a young UT coed with his good looks and Navy uniform. It didn't hurt that his mother, a florist, sent the coed many bouquets with notes unknowingly signed with Dan's name. Jeannette and Dan were happily married for almost 60 years.

Dan graduated from the University of Texas. While at UT, he distinguished himself as catcher on UT's first College World Series National Championship baseball team in 1949. Dan was humbled to be inducted into UT Men's Hall of Honor in 2009. Dan played minor league baseball in Terre Haute IN (Phillies), Alpine TX (Cowboys), Conroe TX (Wildcats) and Austin TX (Pioneers).

Dan owned Watson Florist that was originally located for many years on 'the Drag' and later in Westlake Hills. He also spent almost 30 years refereeing college football and basketball games for the Southwest, Missouri Valley, and Western Atlantic Conferences. He was a patient teacher who coached American Legion baseball and spent countless hours teaching hundreds of kids how to water-ski on Lake Austin.

Dan loved - really loved - to play golf ("the greatest game") as often as he could, but he mainly had a heart for service. He was a volunteer driver with Meals on Wheels for over 36 years and then became 'navigator' for his daughter Jan for two years until she took over his Legacy Route this last year when he could no longer ride along. He served the poor and homeless through University Avenue Church of Christ's Christian Service Center and Outreach Breakfast, Foundation for the Homeless Feed My People Tuesday/Thursday breakfasts, Micah 6 food pantry, and University Baptist Church's God's Family Dinners. Dan knew the names of most of the men and women whom he greeted and served each week, and they knew him by name as well.

Dan's family extends heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Barbara and Dee from Texas Home Healthcare Hospice for their extraordinary tender love and care of Dan and for the staff at Querencia who cared for Dan during his last months of life.

Services for Dan will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 9, 2018, at Weed-Corley-Fish, 3125 North Lamar, Austin, Texas. Family visitation will precede the service from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Dan, having been a florist, all expressions of sympathy are welcomed. Some organizations that were close to Dan's heart are Central Texas Children's Home (where a cottage is named for the Watson family), Austin Graduate School of Theology, and Meals on Wheels.