Albert 'Al' E. Watson
July 19, 1932 - September 20, 2011

Albert "Al" E. Watson
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Albert "Al" E. Watson, 79, of Iowa City died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, September 20, 2011.

There will be no services. A gathering for family and friends will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, September 23, 2011, at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City. Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2011, at Muscatine Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Albert Watson Memorial Fund.

Al was born on July 19, 1932, in Muscatine, the son of Newton and Elizabeth Herlein Watson. He was raised in and around Muscatine and Letts and was a graduate of Muscatine High School.

Following graduation, Al attended the American Institute of Commerce in Davenport and later went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Iowa.

For more than 29 years, Al served either as Purchasing Manager or Director of Finance for numerous area companies including Collins Radio, The HON Co. and the Cedar Rapids Community School District before retiring in 1997. Al later returned to work for the Equipment Division of Iowa City. He retired full-time in March of 2011.

In his free time, Al enjoyed golfing, watching sports, antiquing and spending time with his family. He also loved taking care of his loyal cat "Lila."

Survivors include his three daughters, Terri (Duco) Van Aalst of Sacramento, California, Sherri Watson (Charlie Emig) of Cedar Rapids and Julie (Ray) Beranek of Reeds Spring, Missouri; two brothers, Donald Watson and wife, Diane, and David Watson and wife, Doris, all of Muscatine; one sister, Mary Schantz and husband, Don, of Washington, Iowa; two step-daughters, Denise (Charles) Rawson of Washington, Iowa, and Michele (Dan) Tamerius of Iowa City; two former wives, Marilyn Essex and Mitzi Earhart; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Al was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Blaine Watson.

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