Thomas C. "Buddy" Watson

Thomas C “Buddy” Watson passed away Thursday, July 7, 2011, at his home in Woodville, Fla. He was born and raised in Woodville and after living and working in Panama City moved back to Tallahassee in 2003 and later back to Woodville. Buddy was challenged early in his life. At the age of four, he contracted polio and spent over a year conquering that disease at a hospital in Umatilla, Florida. The drive and determination that Buddy exhibited in his fight with polio propelled him through a life filled with adventure and achievement. A graduate of Leon High School, Buddy was awarded a B.S. in Physics from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Naval Architecture from the University of California at Berkley. He had a satisfying and productive scientific career as a researcher at the Navy Lab (currently Naval Support Activity) in Panama City, Fla. from 1954 until his retirement in 1989. While there, he authored or coauthored more than 90 technical reports, as well as traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe while working on NATO and Department of Defense weapons projects. His life was filled with travel to every state within the continental U.S. He visited many a National Park and Wildlife Refuge and tramped around the fields and woods of Bay County looking for Indian artifacts. He enjoyed doing construction projects with siblings, nephews and friends including refurbishing the old family home in Woodville, installing miles of fencing at the Watson Farm and building a barn, as well as numerous other home repair projects. One of his most rewarding experiences was discovering and documenting for the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research in more than 90 sites where Indian artifacts were found. He wrote many articles for journal publication from these sites. He was preceded in death by his parents Elgin Bertis Watson and Ina Chester Watson, sister Mary L. Wright, brother in law Joe Wright and brother Edward Watson. He is survived by four brothers Don E. Watson (Carol) of Fairhope, Ala., Billy Watson (Carolynn), Jerry W Watson (Carol), Maurice R. Watson (Mary) all of Woodville, Fla. and one aunt, Helen Chester of Havana, Fla., as well as many dear nephews, nieces and long time friends. A reception for family and friends will be held at Bevis Funeral Home (2710 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Fla.) on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 2:00 PM.

Tributes

Thomas C. "Buddy" Watson

July 7, 2011