John A. Watson

John Allan Watson, age 72, and a resident of Miami, Florida since 1976, died on May 2 in Westchester Community Hospital in Miami from abdominal complications following a fall. He was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on December 29, 1943 to John and Romaine (Monthaven) Watson. John was the salutatorian of his 1961 class at Deshler High School. While at DHS he was a three-year starter on both the baseball and basketball teams, playing at shortstop and at small forward respectively. He was well-known for his accommodating social manner, and his fluidity of movement and calm demeanor while playing sports. As a member of Boy Scout Troop 68, he attended the 1957 National Jamboree in Washington, D.C., and in the summer of 1958 undertook a memorable and challenging two-week expedition at Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron, New Mexico. He attended Ohio University from 1961-1963 and then, feeling a burst of wanderlust, traveled to New England in his Alfa Romeo he named “Rocinante” (Don Quixote’s horse), and worked in several cafes on Cape Cod. He resumed his studies at Miami University from 1964-1965, and then took several trips through the American West and Hawaii with mother Romaine, later living with her for some years on Marco Island, Florida. He graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1974 with a B.S. degree in English. He maintained a series of jobs in his working life including several sales positions, and as an animal caretaker at Parrot Jungle in Miami. From 1999 until shortly before his death, he returned to his college major as a Florida-certified English tutor to immigrants in Miami. He also wrote poetry and one of these (“Rainbow Yogurt”) was selected for publication by the National Library of Poetry. He also obtained a diploma from the Institute of Children’s Literature and wrote several short stories featuring animals interacting as humans. He is survived by elder brother Brant of Miami, Florida; younger brother Richard of Mill Creek, Indiana; cousins Russell Yantz of Deshler and Marilyn Castle of Melbourne, Florida and their families, including second cousins Bradley and Theresa, respectively, and their families; and cousins Mike Watson of Santa Cruz, California and JoAnn (née Watson) Damron-Rodrigues, Eddie Watson, and Chris and Darlene (née Watson) and their families of Los Angeles, California; and Cheryl (née Watson) Marshall of Brazil, Indiana and her family. A memorial service will be held on June 18 at the Rodenburger Funeral Home, 133 East Maple Street, in Deshler. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 AM with the service beginning at 11 AM. At its conclusion, an interment ceremony will be conducted at Woodlawn Cemetery, followed by a light lunch at the Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to NAMI of Four County, c/o Barb Arnos, 1038 US Hwy. 127, Bryan, OH 43506.

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John A. Watson

December 29, 1943 - June 10, 2016