Richard "Tommy" Watson

Richard "Tommy" Watson, 58, passed away July 11, 2016, at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia.
Mr. Watson was born in Iredell County on Oct. 2, 1957, to the late Charles Edward and Winnie Alene Stowe Watson.
He was an employee of Freightliner in Mt. Holly with over 38 years of service and also served in the US Army Reserves for over 13 years. Tommy was known as the "Racing Legend" with race fans from Lenoir, Hudson, and Gastonia. He loved dirt track racing and was founder of Tommy Watson Race team at Carolina Speedway. He was a member of Mt. Holly Masonic Lodge #544, AF & AM. He was with the Drum and Bugle Corp. Tommy loved his family and had a special bond with his grandchildren. He was compassionate, giving, and loving.
Survivors include his wife, Iris Patterson Watson of Belmont; children, Jessica Keever (Brian) and Ashley Stiles; brother Bill Sloan and sister, Beth Dotson; grandchildren, Matthew, Jack and Houston; nieces Janet and Julie; and his adopted sisters Jane and Patty Perkins. He is also survived by his Freightliner family and his racing family.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 13, 2016 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Flint Groves Baptist Church, 2017 E Ozark Ave, Gastonia, NC.
Funeral services to celebrate Tommy's life will be held 4 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 4:00 PM at Flint Groves Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.bensonfuneralservices.com.