One of Santa Fe College's greatest benefactors, Alfred B. Watson, Sr., died Monday, May 4, 2009. He was 94.

Watson and his family donated a total of $3.84 million to establish scholarships and construct the SFC Watson Center in Keystone Heights. The center opened in spring 2005 and has since served approximately 400 students.

"Mr. Watson was one of Santa Fe College's strongest advocates," said SFC President Jackson Sasser. "He strongly believed in the importance of access to education and in bringing better educational opportunities to the Keystone Heights area. His indomitable spirit blended seamlessly with the mission and values of the college. He was an inspiration to us all."

Watson was a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who believed, that with God's blessing, he was fulfilling his life's purpose to give back to his community and the world as a whole. Born and raised in New Jersey, he attended Rutgers University -- his intent was to become an engineer -- before the necessity of work brought him to Florida during the Great Depression. He also briefly attended the University of Florida.

"You see, I am a college drop out," he said in his keynote address at the 2004 SFC spring commencement. He went on to tell the students, "I've found that there are two attributes that come to my mind, that have lead me to a happy and successful life. The first is to keep a positive attitude and the second is to have definite goals and a purpose for your life."

In 1938, Watson opened one of the first grocery stores in Keystone Heights. Due to his dedication, Watson's store went on to become Clay County's largest and finest food store.

SFC granted Watson an honorary Associate of Arts degree at the spring 2004 commencement after a unanimous vote by the SFC Board of Trustees. The board action was in recognition of Watson's significant contribution to SFC and his support for the Keystone Heights community through his contributions to and work in educational, religious and other activities. He made improvements to his church, Keystone Heights High School, what was then known as Hospice of North Central Florida, the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, and to Lake Region area ministries.

"Al Watson will be greatly missed by all who knew him," said Chuck Clemons, Executive Director, Santa Fe College Foundation. "Through his generosity and leadership, many students will obtain an education that will change their lives and their community forever."

In 1960, Watson was inspired by a poem read by Dr. John Wayne Reitz, former president of the University of Florida, at the commencement at Melrose High School. Years later, when Watson addressed the graduating class at SFC in spring 2004, he told the audience he kept a copy of the poem on his bathroom mirror and read it every morning while shaving:

"If something of you is not living

If your hand is not toiling and giving

long after your spirit has fled,

Then you have quit this world as a debtor

and spoiled the infinite plan,

For if you have not left one road that's better

you have been of no service to man."