John DeForest Watson, Jr., age 90 of Rainbow City, died September 12, 2020 at the Col. Robert L. Howard State Veteran’s Home in Pell City. He was born June 27, 1930 on his family’s farm off Rainbow Drive, in what is now Rainbow City, and except for his time in the Army, lived on that farm his entire life. In 1948 he graduated from Etowah High School, where he met the love of his life, Carolyn. He served two years during the Korean War in the 167th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division, and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. He worked his entire life at Goodyear in Gadsden, retiring as Distribution Center Manager after more than 40 years of service. He graduated from Jacksonville State University, which he attended in the evenings while working at Goodyear. In his spare time he was a homebuilder, and was for many years the Chairman of the Rainbow City Zoning Board. He also enjoyed cheering for the Westminster Christian School basketball team, the Atlanta Braves, and the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was a member of White Springs Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church of Gadsden. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Carolyn Hinton Watson, parents John D. Watson and Oma Odell Medlin of Southside, and his aunt Varna Watson and uncle Horace Watson, who were important influences in his upbringing, as well as his siblings Nell Hughes, Margaret Hughes, Lamar Watson and Mary Lou Wimpee. He is survived by his children John D. Watson III (Ann) of Vestavia Hills, Kathleen W. Hughston (Ron) of Tuscaloosa, and James D. Watson of Vestavia Hills; eight beloved grandchildren, Amy Watson (Adam Lukasiewicz), James Austin Hughston (Ashley), Watson Hughston (Mary Stuart), Jay Watson (Jillian), Anna Kate Hughston, Sarah Kathryn Hughston, Will Watson and Andrew Watson; four great-grandchildren, Jack Watson, Lakelyn Hughston, Henry Watson and Caroline Hughston; his brother and sister-in-law Bob and Peggy Wharton, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Special thanks go to the loving caretakers at the State Veteran’s Home, Lakeside Hospice, Forest Manor Rehabilitation, Crimson Village, Kirkwood By the River and Home Instead, among many others. Pallbearers will be his nephews and grandsons, and honorary pallbearers are Wayne Walden, Excell Hester, and all his friends from Goodyear. A graveside service will be held at Crestwood Memorial at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 19 with Rev. Larry Fuhrman officiating, with plans for a memorial service when it is safe to gather. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Westbrook Christian School (100 Westminster Dr., Rainbow City, AL 35906), the Big Oak Ranch (P.O. Box 507 Springville, AL 35146), or Lakeside Hospice (4010 Masters Rd. Pell City, AL 35128).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.collier-butler.com for the Watson family.
