MITCHELL – David P. Watson, Sr., 86, passed away in hospice care on March 23, 2026, surrounded by family.
Born March 11, 1940, in Mitchell, he was the son of Geraldine and Albert “Goat” Watson. David dedicated his life to music, entertainment, and family.
After graduating from Mitchell High School in 1958 David joined the United States Army with his favorite duty station being in Hawaii. After returning from his service David played music in various places. On August 31, 1978 he married Kathy Gillespie. Many know him from Annie’s old place in Mitchell where they performed under the, appropriately named, “Dave & Kathy”. They provided music and entertainment every weekend as the house band. Then moving to play music at Jack’s, also in Mitchell, before going into business with 2 other partners to purchase the “7th Street Lounge”, of which Dave and Kathy became sole owners of over the years. They expanded the business and opened another tavern in Seymour called “2nd Street Lounge”. Together they ran that business until it closed, before purchasing the Laundromat in Mitchell. Once Kathy passed away in 2017, Dave finally retired and focused on music and entertainment by having weekend Karaoke parties in the basement of his home, where he was the life of the party, and loved for everybody that showed up to sing…whether they were able to or not. David’s wit and humor was unmatched with his dry delivery where you didn’t know if it was a joke or the truth until you saw the sly grin on his face.
Survivors include sons, David P. Watson, Jr. and Paul (Miranda) Gillespie, both of Mitchell; grandsons, Nathan Watson of Bedford, David Watson III of Bedford, and Matthew King of Mitchell; granddaughters, Summer Watson of Franklin, Raynan Hunter of Greencastle, Kyla Gillespie of Bedford, Samatha Gillespie of Williams, and Isabella Hawkins of Mitchell; eight great-grandchildren; nieces, Debra Craig of Bedford, Dietra Greene of Arkansas, and Tammie Bennett; nephews, Shannon Armstrong of Bedford and Tony George of Mitchell; and countless friends he considered family.
David was preceded in death by both parents, Albert and Geraldine; wife, Kathy Watson; son, Micheal Joesph Watson; granddaughter, Andey Watson; sisters, Sue Webb, Norma Cook, Pat George, and Janet Armstrong; and two brothers at infancy.
Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 27, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Brother Johnny Herald officiating. Military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107. Entombment will be at Cresthaven Mausoleum.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the funeral home.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
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