Lawrence "Larry" Hemphill Watson

LAWRENCE HEMPHILL WATSON, JR. (AGE 88) “LARRY”

Larry Watson passed away on February 13, 2019, at his home in Alexandria, VA. Octa Raby Watson, his wife of more than 57 years, was at his side. He is survived by his wife, Octa, his children, Shannon Lynne Watson and Lawrence H. Watson, III (Valarie Evans), and grandchildren, Nathaniel Guthrie and Eliza Ashby Watson, to whom he was ‘Padre’. Born in Cambridge, MD, on January 4, 1931, Larry was the son of the late Ruth Guthrie and Lawrence Hemphill Watson, Sr., of Appomattox, VA. A longtime resident of Alexandria, Larry was a leader in the Alexandria Kiwanis Club and First Baptist Church, Alexandria. He graduated from Appomattox High School, Appomattox, VA, in 1947, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, in 1953, and earned his M.B.A. from the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA. Commissioned in the U.S. Navy in June 1953, he is a veteran of the Korean War and was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant in 1978. He was a friend to all who knew him. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 16, at First Baptist Church, 2932 King Street, Alexandria, followed by a reception at the church. Inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery will follow at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Larry’s memory to the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, 3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302 (alexscholarshipfund.org/donate).

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