John Leavitt Watson

After a brief but courageous battle with cancer, John Leavitt Watson, 75, went to be with his Savior on Sunday, May 12. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, John graduated from St Pete High School and USF with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Always industrious, John began working in elementary school as a newspaper boy and helper in the school cafeteria. He worked for a short stint at Honeywell during which time he worked on projects related to the NASA Atlas-Centaur and hand controls for space shuttles. He also helped his father build Romany Park, a 55+ mobile home park community. Managing and maintaining Romany Park was his life’s work and among his proudest achievements. One of his biggest joys was getting to know and interacting with the residents who came from all over the world.

He was a devoted family man who delighted in his children and grandchildren. He supported his children well in their education, interests, and future hopes. He was a wonderfully playful and engaged grandfather, spending hours role playing, playing hide and seek, or Facetiming. He loved learning and travel, making lifelong friends on almost every trip he took. He was a veteran of the US Coast Guard and active member of Hope Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years Donna, his daughters Kim Steika (husband Nils Steika), Jessica Watson, and Robin Watson (husband Kevin McCarley) and grandchildren Elise and Benjamin Steika; sister Joyce Watson Nutta (husband Giorgio Nutta), and niece Francesca (Nutta) Scrimgeour (husband Troy) and nephew Marco Nutta (wife Mirai). He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Bill and Betty Watson and his brother Jerry Watson.

Visitation will be held on Friday May 17th at 1pm at Hope Lutheran Church (1801 62nd Ave St. Petersburg), followed by a Memorial Service at 2pm at the same location. A graveside service will be held immediately after the memorial service at Royal Palms Cemetery South (101 55th South St Pete).

During the memorial service, there will be a time where any interested attendees may share a favorite memory or thought. Additionally, should guests want to write down a favorite story, memory, or interaction or bring a copy of a favorite picture, his family would treasure those and will be collecting them in Hope Lutheran’s foyer.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hope Lutheran Church, MD Anderson Cancer Center, or the St. Pete Free Clinic.