John Watson Jr

John passed away on Tuesday, May 20 in Austin, Texas. He is the son of John Conway Watson, Sr. and Catherine Gerber Watson, deceased, with sisters Nellie Watson of New Orleans and Cathy Watson of Austin, Texas, wife of Rueben Gonzales.

John grew up in New Orleans . He was an active member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church becoming a senior acolyte and as a Boy Scout, achieved their highest honor of Eagle Scout.

John had a life long love of the water, both as a sailor and an avid swimmer. He became a life guard, water safety instructor and even after his accident was awarded a gold plaque by the YMCA commemorating his accomplishment of swimming 1000 miles.

As a 19 year old sophomore at LSU John was struck by a car and sustained a disabling tramatic head injury. Though impaired, his charm, humor and strong determination remained very much in tact, guiding his rehabilitation and future. John lived in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, enjoying music, swimming, taking classes and drinking coffee. John was surrounded with the love and support of his family, friends, his church communities and his strong spiritual faith.

Hurricane Katrina brought John to Austin, Texas to be closer to his beloved sister Cathy. Since 2009 he has been a resident of Bastrop Lost Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and was blessed with two wonderful care givers; Lynette Cason and Bryan Zirkelbach. John found his true Bastrop home among the loving parishioners of Calvary Episcopal Church.

John will always be an inspiration; for his courage and tenacity to meet his extreme life challenges , but remembered most for his great love and affection which was his ultimate joy to share.

John, you will be dearly missed.