Chad Watson

Chad Michael Watson was born on December 8th, 1988 to Mike and Lisa Watson. He spent his childhood in Lancaster, South Carolina. In his early days, you could find him rattling on about every type of dinosaur to ever exist or dressing up as his favorite power ranger, the red one of course. As he grew into adolescence, you could find him romping through the backyard in tactical gear or skateboarding down the driveway while his little sister Lauren looked on, always wanting to be a part of his "big kids'" fun.
As he came into his teenage years, his personality continued to blossom, finding his "band of misfits," who would become inseparable friends through high school and beyond. He always had a knack for different– making time and taking care of people that others might not take the time to notice. It was around this time he also found his first love, the guitar. After coming across an old guitar of his dad's, he decided he wanted to learn and the rest is history. If a guitar was in a room, it would swiftly find itself in his hands, filling the space with effortless melodies, some from his memory but most from his soul.
During his teenage years, Chad also began participating in Salkehatchie Summer Service with his church youth group, an organization that repairs homes for those in need. This was an example of his servant's heart at work. At Salkehatchie, all the volunteers were happy to help do all the work on the house but Chad, even as a young teen, wasn't afraid to do the more important work, the work on the homeowner's heart– taking time at each water break to speak to and love on each one.
As Chad came into adulthood, his hobbies and interests continued to grow even more eclectic. He was a walking encyclopedia on many topics. If given the opportunity he would talk to anyone and everyone about the composers of the latest Bond film score, how to roast the perfect espresso bean to get the most robust flavor, or which guitar pedal would give the right effect a fellow musician might be after in their musical endeavors. He was an authority on everything from horror movies, to historic happenings around the world and he knew at least a little about pretty much everything in between. He enjoyed hiking and his pursuit of the perfect cup of coffee, listening to all sorts of music and making people just a tad uncomfortable with his twisted sense of humor, jamming with his dad and watching Malcom Reynolds "aim to misbehave".
In 2012, while working at a farmers market in Atlanta, Chad met the one whom his Irish soul was after, the love of his life Lynn, who would become his wife on March 12th, 2016. He was the bluebird to her sunflower, a pair bound in their love for one another and their beautiful hearts for all people. Together they had three precious fur babies; Finn, who was no doubt waiting for his dad at the rainbow bridge, Kaylee Jane, his cuddle buddy and Beckett, his big goof ball.
Chad will forever be loved and remembered for his incredible mind, full of more knowledge of random things than one can begin to imagine; his sarcasm and wit, too advanced for many to understand but a delight for those who could; and his incredible heart holding the uncanny ability to never know a stranger and seek out those many would overlook. His last act in life, on June 16th, 2024, was giving to others as an organ donor– a fitting end for a man who would count any stranger worthy to befriend.
Left to share his legacy is his loving wife Tara Lynn Watson, his fur babies Kaylee Jayne and Beckett, his mom and dad, Lisa and Mike Watson, his sister Lauren Chaney (Scott), his niece Charlie Olivia Chaney, his Mamaw, Martha Ann Floyd, his in-laws, Beverly and John Connon, his sisters-in-law Rachel Cummings (George), Molly Georgen (Ed), as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.
He was met in glory by his first fur baby, Finn, his grandparents Lessie and Bert Watson, Otis Chalmers Flynn and Lloyd Floyd and his uncle, Ricky Flynn, his mother in law, Regina A. W. Connon, along with a few cherished friends.
We will celebrate Chad's life, and perhaps listen to an Irish folk song or two, Friday, June 21st at 4pm at Burgess Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors at 3pm, before the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chad's honor to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at nami.org.