David C Watson

Beloved family patriarch, David C. Watson, 80, a Gig Harbor and Black Diamond resident, died
unexpectedly from an underlying heart condition on August 5th, 2023. Born in Seattle, son to
Edna and Warren Watson on August 21, 1942.
David grew up on campus of Seattle Pacific University as his dad, Warren, was the Dean of
Men and grandpa, C. Hoyt Watson was the President of SPU. Dave served in the Navy for four
years. After returning he attended the Seattle Community College, University of Washington
and SPU to pursue a career in Education. He taught in the Peninsula School District at Purdy,
Discovery and Evergreen Elementary Schools and was the principal at Artondale Elementary
until retirement.
He was the most wonderful husband of 60 years to his first and only true love-Susann, who he
met when she was twelve and he was fourteen, at the Lake 12 cabin property. He was also an
amazing father, papa (grandpa, great grandpa), son, brother, and friend, and will be missed
terribly. He loved attending his children and grandchildren's sport games, concerts & plays. His
family will always have fond memories of his passions of antique American Flyer Trains, his
love for watching WWII, John Wayne and Abbot & Costello movies, classic monster movies like
Dracula, all with ice cream of course.
We know he touched so many lives within the community, as an Educator and Principal with
the Peninsula School District 1971-2000, as a Volunteer Firefighter/Captain and Commissioner
with the Gig Harbor Fire Department, Volunteer with PEP-C Disaster Preparedness, Black
Diamond Historical Museum Archivist, President of the Happy Hans’ Music Fan Club, and as a
Veteran of the US Navy.
He had a passion for all things historical, whether it be his experiences on the USS Hornet, the
coal mines of the Black Diamond area, and the military forts protecting Puget Sound,
especially Fort Casey with his classic “Red-Eye” stories. He loved working on the restoration of
the 1945 Gig Harbor Fire Truck “Old No 1”. He was Happy Hans’ Music bands biggest fan and
loved to polka with Susann. Over the years, he enjoyed many family Maui vacations, the RV
life, Fort Casey camping trips, watching Seattle Sounders games, listening to country music,
getting his fix of David John & the Comstock Cowboys, visiting Virginia City and ghost towns,
celebrating Oktoberfests and finally taking his bride on a recent Alaskan Cruise.
Family members include his wife, Susann, brother Keith (Judy) Watson, sons Eric (Doris)
Watson, Matthew Watson, daughter Cheryl (Sean) McIntyre, eight grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Black Diamond Museum. Please go
online to the Black Diamond Historical Society, to donations.
http://blackdiamondmuseum.org/Shop

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David C Watson, please visit our floral store.