J. Fred Watson

J. Fred Watson, 90 of Sanford passed away Monday January 6, 2025 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Pinehurst NC.

Mr. Watson was born April 3, 1934, in Lee County son of the late Joseph Bryan Watson and Eunice Woodell Watson. He was preceded in death by siblings, William Watson and Winnie Ann Kelly.

 Mr. Watson lived his life to the fullest. He was a proud Navy Veteran, a retired Middle School math teacher Fairfax County Virginia, a devoted “Redskins” fan, loved attending local high school baseball games, telling stories, enjoyed gardening, quite savvy on his computer and a wonderful grandparent, known as Papa Fred.

Mr. Watson is survived by his wife of 21 years Dorothy Gainey Watson; daughter Tracy Watson (Dave), and Toni Ward; step children, Barbara Taylor (Larry), Bobby Lynn Sloan (Pat), and Kenneth Lee Sloan (Wanda); grandchildren, Megan Ward, Ian Ward (Morgan), Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Winkler (Chad), Kirby Sloan (Kourtney), Emily Harris (Trent), Brock Sloan (Emily), and Larry Bridges (Christine); great grandchildren, Penny Trump, Townes Ward, Alex Taylor, Andrew Taylor, McKenzie Winkler, Ethan Winkler, Blake Bridges, Tyler Bridges, Leo Sloan, Finley Sloan, Kennedy Sloan, Kannon Sloan, and Sloan Harris.

Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday January 12, 2025, at 2:00pm at Cool Springs Baptist Church. The family will receive friends before the service beginning at 1:00pm at the church.

Memorial contributions can be made to Cool Springs Baptist Church to the Kent Bullard Scholarship Fund, 1313 Cool Springs Rd, Sanford, NC 27330; or to Bread of Life Ministries, P.O. Box 175, Sanford, NC 27331.