In Memory Of

Don Walter Watson

10/29/1955 - 1/5/2025

Details

Service Date

02/15/2025

Service Time

11:00 AM

Service Location

Gilbert Memorial Park 2100 E Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, AZ

location_on Service Location

About Don Walter Watson

Don Walter Watson, 69, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025. He was born on October 29, 1955, in Flint, Michigan, to ShirleyDon Watson and Phyllis Heddy.

Don grew up in Clio, Michigan, where he was an accomplished athlete, participating in football, baseball, and basketball. It was there that he met Marcia Lumsden. The couple married in 1975 and shared 39 beautiful years together, raising their two sons, Chad and Scott Watson.

In 1989, Don moved his family to Arizona to pursue a wonderful career opportunity. There, he became known as the heart and soul of everyone he came in contact with, touching countless lives with his genuine care and warmth. His love for basketball continued throughout his life, as he faithfully gathered each week with a cherished group of friends who shared an amazing connection on the court. Throughout his career he touched the lives of almost anyone he came in contact with.

A devoted family man, Don took immense pride in his five grandchildren. Scott’s children include Kadie, a freshman on the Grand Canyon University dance team; Carter, who carries on his grandfather’s athletic legacy in high school baseball and basketball; and Kylee, who shares her sister’s passion for dance. Chad’s children include 11-year-old Everett, who loves baseball and golf, and 3-year-old Oliver, whose active spirit brings joy to all around him.

After some difficult life changes, he met his fiancé Bonnie Simpson. They shared the last ten and a half years traveling and attending their beloved grandkids’ activities.

Don’s legacy lives on through his sons Chad and Scott Watson, his five beloved grandchildren, and the countless lives he touched with his kindness and genuine care for others.

Honoring Your Loved Ones

Condolences

9 comments

Bonnierae

ago

Tomorrow will be six months that my sweet fiancé and best friend went to heaven. There isn’t an event or song that goes by without me thinking of him and missing his sparkling eyes, deep voice, crazy sense of humor and his all out deep love and caring for people, but especially his family and friends! Miss you so much! Love Bonnierae

Jerry and Kim Smith and Family

ago

We send our Love and Condolences to the family and friends of DON WATSON; we have known him for a very long time. Don was very instrumental in helping our family in many ways. We will miss him and his love, and that wonderful smile. God bless you always.

Don Runke

ago

Many years ago, I had the privilege & pleasure of coaching a season of Mesa Little League baseball with Don Watson. Don installed a sense of purpose and confidence in each of these boys at a time in their lives when it was most needed. On multiple occasions I saw him take a knee with a young boy who was expressing self doubts about his abilities in a critical part of a game. Don took the time to talk with that youth and explain how important to the team they were and how their skills were more than enough to accomplish the team goals. Don not only coached little league baseball, but started these young boys on the road to becoming valuable adults. Today a number of these “boys” are business, and financial leaders, as well as Teachers and amazing Dads who are installing the skills and attitudes they learned from “Coach Don in the next generation. ( by the way, we won the Mesa Little League title in our devision that year) I am proud to call Don a friend of mine and will miss him greatly. Don Runke

Marco Perez

ago

One of the most unique personalities I have ever encountered. With his radio voice and like personality he was always approachable and delivered an honest, sometimes bold and an entertainingly strong view. Don was more than kind he would deliberately go out of his way to help others. I will always remain in his debt.

Ginger Pawlikowski

ago

Don was the best person! He was always thinking of others and helping however he could. Ted and I have so many happy memories! He was our best friend and we miss him so much!

Paul Haynes

ago

Don was well liked by all his high school classmates. I remember playing football with him! As manager of the JV basketball team Don was always saying thank you for anything I would do for the team. Genuine smile and never a bad comment! As a member of the Clio High School classmates of 1973, we will miss him! GO MUSTANGS Don RIP my friend! GO BLUE!

Ted Pawlikowski

ago

I met Don while working out at Western Club shortly after he moved to Arizona. Our friendship grew stronger over the years through good times and bad times for both of us. I have lost my best friend and I will miss him forever.

Abbey (Herr) Brennan

ago

Prayers and condolences to you. I’ve known him for 30 years and am so grateful to have known him! So many memories as being a little sister to Tyler playing basketball with Scott! Don was always so kind to me over the years, gave me the opportunity of working in the corporate world with a summer intern position during my college summers. I’m always grateful for that opportunity. He even came out with my family on my 18th birthday when I could gamble for the first time! I remember driving to flagstaff with him, Marcia and my parents to watch Scott and Tyler play basketball and a savage garden song came on that I suddenly became obsessed with, he somehow knew I liked the song and played it frequently during the drive. Don, thanks for always making me feel important by taking the time to say Hi to me and ask me about my life during basketball game nights, tournaments, for spending time with my dad and I in the kids arcade areas in Vegas, being supportive during big milestones of mine, saying hi to me during my summers as an intern. Thank you for the many wonderful memories you gave me. I have enjoyed watching you share about how proud you are of your grandkids over the years! Those who knew you, were lucky to have known you. You will be greatly missed.

Rose Gentry

ago

I’ve worked with Don for the past 3 years. He was such a presence in the building that whenever he wasn’t there, there was silence in the office, you noticed his absence. We notice it now, too much. I worked with him on school orders and he taught me so much. He made everyone laugh with his stories! He loved his grandkids so much and bragged about them all the time. But his love for Bonnie shined through whenever he spoke about her. You will be missed so much my friend! Rest in Peace, till we meet again.