Edward Jerome "Jerry" Watson

Edward Jerome “Jerry” Watson (aka Ed), passed away on Friday, November 6, 2015 just hours before his 87th birthday. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean (née Donald); two daughters Debbie Zeiler  and Stephanie Corley; 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. A small private service was held on Saturday,  November 7, 2015. Born and raised in Overlea, Baltimore County, Maryland, he was the only child of Harry Reed Watson and Mary “Jeannette” Jerome Watson. He and his wife moved to Bethlehem, Georgia in 2003 to be near their daughters and their families. In March 2015 due to health reasons he and his wife moved into Winder Health Care in Winder Georgia. While he held many jobs over his lifetime, his passion was being around trains. Since most of his family worked for the railroad (B&O, Western Maryland, & Pennsylvania) it was no surprise that his first job was with the Western Maryland RR at age 16. After 50 years of railroad service he retired from Amtrak in 1994. After retiring he earned his Locomotive Engineer Certificate and became Engineer and volunteer for the Northern Central Railway, Maryland Midland, Gettysburg Scenic Railway, and finally served as an engineer on the train at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia! He was a member of the Baltimore Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and the Western Maryland Railway Historical Society. He was well known over the years for his year-round very detailed train garden layout in his basement (first Lionel and later HO gauge) with working lights, gates, signals, trolley, and much more, which he delighted in operating for all visitors! As a proud Master Mason and Shriner, he held memberships in Highland Lodge #184, Druid Royal Arch Chapter #28, and Boumi Temple in Baltimore, MD. Donations may be made “In honor of Edward J Watson” via mail or online to the following organizations: B&O Railroad Museum, 901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21223, 410-752-2490 or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children,  International Headquarters, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, 855-401-4897. Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Hwy 53, Hoschton, GA, 30548, www.lawsonfuneralhome.org, 706-654-0966.