J. Fred Watson

J. Fred Watson obituary, Sanford, NC

J. Fred Watson

J. Fred Watson Obituary

Visit the Rogers-Pickard Funeral Home website to view the full obituary.

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.


To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Rogers-Pickard Funeral Home

509 Carthage Street, Sanford, NC 27330

How to support J. Fred's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor J. Fred Watson's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more