Robert "Bob" Richard Watson, Jr.

Robert (Bob) Richard Watson, Jr. passed into the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Bob was surrounded by his loving wife Donna and their three children, Jacob, Becca (Colein) and Nathanael. Bob, also known as “Wattie,” was loved by all that knew him. He loved the Lord, and he loved his family with all of his heart, soul and mind.  He was a born-again Christian and was not ashamed to share his faith and testimony and how God changed and transformed his life. 

Bob was born on October 14, 1954, to the late Robert Richard Watson, Sr. and Constance Charmaine Watson (Cowan). He grew up in the Forest Heights neighborhood of Oxon Hill, Maryland and graduated from Oxon Hill High School in 1972. He worked as a Record Analyst at the US. Census Bureau in Suitland, Maryland for over 40 years until his retirement. In 1991, Bob met the love of his life, Donna Grace Holt while she was serving as a missionary in Baltimore City. On February 1, 1992, they were married at the First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro, and the rest was history.    

Together, Bob and Donna raised three children: Jacob Watson of Lancaster, PA, Becca Colein (John) of Hughesville, MD and Nathanael Watson of Lothian, MD. Bob has two grandchildren, Madigan and Emma Grace Colein, who always loved to see “Pappy”.  Bob also has a sister, Bonnie Peterman (Bob) of St. Mary’s County, MD. He is also survived by a niece, nephews, and multiple aunts and cousins. During his lifetime, Bob had the privilege of being a member of three Christ-Centered churches: Forest Heights Baptist in Oxon Hill, MD where he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized; First Baptist of Upper Marlboro, MD and Bayside Baptist Church in Chesapeake Beach, MD. Alongside Donna, he also invested his life and ministry at Southern Maryland Christian Academy.

Bob was a servant in the truest sense of the word. He was an ordained deacon, usher, greeter, and director of the Last Supper Drama Presentations. Bob never saw a person he deemed unworthy and never knew of a need he did not try to meet. Everyone was viewed as a friend and as an important child of God. Bob is best remembered, however, for his time invested in youth ministry programs. He had a passion for teaching and in seeing young people come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He chaperoned (and lost sleep) for many church and school youth events throughout the years. Some of his favorite destinations were FUGE at Ridgecrest, NC and the Retreats at River Valley Ranch in Maryland. Bob taught and served in youth ministry for over 33 years.   

Bob was also an avid sports fan who loved all things Washington. The Washington Redskins and Washington Senators (and most recently the Washington Nationals) were his favorite sports teams. He was thrilled to see a World Series brought back to Washington in 2019. He was an encyclopedia of sports knowledge and trivia and had a vast collection of sports cards and memorabilia.  

Bob is also known for coaching, pitching prowess and opposite field hitting as #33 for the church softball teams that he played on throughout the years. After games he always enjoyed a time of fellowship with his fellow players and family at Reginas Pizza in Temple Hills, Md. He is also known for bringing joy to people’s lives as “Santa” and for making his “world famous” fudge that many youths and adults enjoyed throughout the years. Bob liked all kinds of music but was especially fond of Elton John tunes and more recently Contemporary Christian Artist Lauren Daigle.   

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, March 29, 2024 (Good Friday) at the Bayside Baptist Church, 3009 Chesapeake Beach Road, Chesapeake Beach, MD. There will be a time of visitation from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM with the service beginning at 11:00 AM. The family has asked those attending the service, if able, to dress casually and wear either red and/or your favorite sports jersey in memory of Bob. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Bob to the Bayside Baptist Church Youth Scholarship Fund and/or the Bayside Food Pantry. Donations can be made at the following links: https://baysidebaptist.churchcenter.com/giving or www.baysidebaptist.com

 “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”  (Matthew 25:23)