Roll Call Tribute

McCauley Funeral Home obituary
101 E Decherd St
P.O. Box 454
Franklin, Texas 77856
P: 979-828-3246
F: 979-828-5549

Donald Albert Watson
January 06, 1934 - January 07, 2020

Donald Albert Watson was born in McAllen, TX to Roy Watson and Angelina Motle. Don had one younger brother Richard (Dick) Watson. Don played his high school sports at nearby Franklin, TX where he won all-state honors. Don was a 1952 graduate of Franklin High School, graduating salutatorian of his class. During his high school athletic career, he earned 18 letters in sports. Because of Don’s memorable performance Franklin’s Head Coach, Joe Hedrick retired Don Watson’s jersey #17 in 1960.

Watson was one of 35 Texas A&M players who had survived the 10-day training camp in Junction, TX in 1954 under legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, laying the foundation for the 1956 team to go 9-0-1. Watson played halfback and lettered from 1954-56. He won Football National Back of the Week honors in 1955 and 1956 for his performances against Texas Christian University each season. He was a distinguished Military Honor graduate of Texas A&M University class of 1957. Upon graduation, he served in the United States Army in the 101st Airborne as a Captain.

While at Texas A&M Don married the former Boots Berry from Sinton, TX with whom he shared a 33-year marriage. They had two children, daughter Kelly Lee Watson and a son Robert “Bobby” Donald Watson.

After graduation Don coached at Virginia Tech for three years, University of Houston for two years, Tulane University for one year, and South Carolina for two years before accepting his dream job to coach for his alma mater Texas A&M in 1965. Under Head Coach Gene Stallings, Don coached at A&M from 1965 to 1970. A&M won the SEC Conference Championship and 1968 Cotton Bowl game over Bear Bryant's Alabama squad. The A&M coaches many who were Junction Boy survivors playing for Bear Bryant at A&M 1953 – 1956 made the 1967 game historic. The game ended with the A&M Junction Boy coaches embracing their revered coach Paul “Bear Bryant”.

In 1957 Don left coaching and accepted a position with LG Balfore & Taylor Publishing company in Houston, TX. The company provided High schools and Colleges with Class Rings and Yearbooks including Texas A&M. Don continued to work with students on the Yearbook staffs across East and Central Texas. Don absolutely loved working to develop and inspire young people.

After 36 years in 1993 Don retired from LG Balfore & Taylor Publishing. After retirement he married Mary Helen Bethune on March 13, 1996 in Madisonville, Texas. They made their home in The Woodlands, Texas. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Angelina Watson and son, Robert “Bobby” Donald Watson.

Don is survived by his wife Mary Watson, daughter, Kelly Lee Watson Horton, her husband David Horton of Tyler, TX and his daughter, Kellee Leeann Walker of The Woodlands. He is also survived by his brother, Richard “Dick” Watson of Franklin, TX and his three grandchildren, Dylan Watson, Cailyn Watson, and Travis Walker.


Services will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 3:00 P.M. at the Franklin United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Franklin Cemetery.
______________________________________________________________________
Junction Boy Don Watson dies
(Bryan-College Station) Eagle Staff Report Jan 7, 2020

Don Watson, one of Texas A&M’s fabled Junction Boys, died Tuesday at his home in The Woodlands, according to a family friend.

Watson, who graduated from Franklin, was among 35 players who survived the 10-day training camp in Junction in 1954 under legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. They laid the foundation for the 1956 team that won the Southwest Conference championship.

The 5-foot-11, 155-pound Watson played halfback, lettering from 1954-56. He led them in punt and kickoff returns in 1954 and in punt returns in ’56.

Watson, who turned 86 on Monday, coached at Virginia Tech, Tulane, South Carolina and A&M before retiring in 1971 and getting into sales.