Mr. John Thomas Watson "Butchy Balls"

January 1, 1946 - June 30, 2019

John Thomas Watson, son of the late Katherine Watson, was born with a “bang” on New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1, 1946, in Harrisburg, PA. Affectionately called “Butch” by family and friends, John was educated in the Harrisburg School District, William Penn Campus, and pursued a chef career by attending culinary school in Florida. Butch retired from the City of Harrisburg, Government offices, on December 31, 2010, after a career of thirty-seven accumulative years which began on September 5, 1978, having held the positions of Laborer 1 (Public Works - Incinerator), Scale-House/Tipping Floor Attendant (Public Works – Steam Generator), Clerk Typist and Data Entry Operator (Incinerator Division), Laborer III (Incinerator Division/Public Works-Sanitation Division), Microfilming Technician (Data Processing Division) and various Clerk II positions (Information Technology, Public Works-Building Maintenance and Operations and Revenue) until his declining health. Though Butch could not stay away, he returned as an annuitant each year for summer employment with the Parks and Recreation Division from June 3, 2013 until September 17, 2017, working at the city pool as the cashier, front desk, pool and concessions monitor. Butch was a community activist acting as Neighborhood Crime Watch Organizer of South Fifteenth Street, Harrisburg, volunteer at the Central PA Food Bank and the Bureau of Elections as a poll worker. He freely opened his home to family and friends in need of a place to stay. Among Butch’s most enjoyable activities were playing bingo, cards, visiting theme parks (riding roller coasters), circuses, movies, Hollywood Casino, bartending, nurturing his animals, going out to eat, cooking and hosting family/friends gatherings. On Sunday, June 30, 2019, in his seventy-third year, Butch departed this life. Along with his mother, Katherine Watson, he was also preceded in death by sister, Joyce Ann Thompson; aunt, Helen Norris; uncle, Raymond Watson; and nephew, Bryan M. Watson. He leaves to share memories of good times and even some challenging times his siblings, Willette Watson, Sharon Watson, Jerome Watson, Helen Pernell, all of Harrisburg, PA; his nieces and nephews, Mariciea Watson, Tina Watson, both of Harrisburg, Jo Watson-Preston, James Johnson, both of Steelton, PA, Antonio Watson, Anthony Watson, Angie Watson, Kathy Watson, all of Harrisburg, Sharon Watson of Greensboro, NC, April Corbitt of Harrisburg; as well as great-, great-great nieces and nephews, other family members and friends.