Major Don Robert Watson, Jr. US Army (Ret), of Rocky Mount, North Carolina passed away on Friday, February 9, 2018. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 3, 1943. He was preceded in death by his mother, Florence B. Watson, his father, Don R. Watson, Sr. and his late wife, Linda R. Kaylor Watson. Don was drafted into the US Army in 1966. After graduating from Infantry Officer Candidate School and Flight School, and serving a tour in Vietnam, he was assigned to Ft Rucker as a Tactics Instructor Pilot. Later tours of duty sent him to Ft Benning, GA, Ft Jackson, SC, Panama Canal Zone, Daytona Beach, FL, Ft Hood, TX, and Ft Campbell, KY. During his military career, he proudly served with Infantry, Aviation, and Military Police units. He was awarded several medals, including Bronze Star, Meritorious Service, Army Commendation, Soldiers, Air, Armed Forces Reserve, and Master Aviator Badge. He retired from the Army in 1986. After leaving the service he was a VP with Granutec, Health Corp, and Pharm Star Pharmaceuticals, and also owned his own business. Don will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 24 years, Judy, and his children, Don R. Watson, III and wife, Sandra, Denise Ann Harris, and Michael Robbins Owen and husband, Michael. He will also be fondly remembered by his six grandchildren, Arden, Kate, Morgan, Clay, Jacob, and Annmarie, and by his brothers, Lt Col Jon Watson US Army (Ret) and wife, Cheri and Jim Watson and wife, Patricia. Don's kind heart, generosity, and willingness to help everyone will be cherished for a lifetime. He enjoyed entertaining family and friends, his annual trips to the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association reunions, and he was always searching for new and interesting projects to busy himself with. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 4:00pm at Southside Baptist Church, 4948 Carter Road, Elm City, NC, 27822. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 from 3:00pm-4:00pm at Southside Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Southside Baptist Church Building Fund at 4948 Carter Road, Elm City, NC 27822. Don will be laid to rest in Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI on Friday, February 16, 2018 at 11:30 AM. Family will receive friends at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, on Thursday, February 15, 2018 6:00pm-8:00pm.

Visitation Details

Thursday, February 15th, 2018 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel

Service Information

Friday, February 16th, 2018 11:30am, Fort Custer National Cemetery

Interment Details

Friday, February 16th, 2018 11:30am, Fort Custer National Cemetery