John Drake Watson 85 of 2006 Springfield Circle Newberry SC died Friday August 22 2003 at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital. Mr. Watson was born in Florence SC a son of the late Lawrence Orr and Julia Drake Watson.He was a 1939 graduate of Clemson College and received his Master's Degree from Virginia Technical University in 1941. He was an Army veteran of WW II and the Korean War. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1978 from the U.S. Army Reserve after 26 years of service. Mr. Watson worked for the Virginia Truck Experiment Station Norfolk VA in 1941; the Pee Dee Experiment Station in Florence SC in 1946-1947; and in 1982 he retired after 35 years of service with Pennwalt Corporation in Philadelphia PA. Mr. Watson was an Eagle Scout with a Silver Palm; an Assistant Scout Master; a member of the Board of Directors of the Newberry County YMCA and the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly; past president of the Newberry Rotary Club; and was a member of Aveleigh Presbyterian Church having served as a Deacon and Elder. Mr. Watson is survived by his wife Dorothy Wade Watson of the home; a son and daughter-in-law John Drake Watson Jr. and Katharine Richards Watson of Richmond VA; and three grandchildren James Watson Dorothy Watson and Drake Watson III. He was predeceased by his brother Lawrence Orr Watson Jr.Memorial services for John Drake Watson will be conducted at 1:30 P.M Monday at Aveleigh Presbyterian Church.Memorials may be made to Aveleigh Presbyterian Church 1211 Calhoun St. Newberry SC 29108 or to the Newberry YMCA PO Box 662 Newberry SC 29108.Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.Whitaker Funeral Home 1704 College St Newberry SC is assisting the family.