Donald Kemp (Donnie) Watson

DURHAM Mr. Donald Kemp “Donnie” Watson, Sr., 74, of Durham, died on Sunday, July 8, 2012.Donnie was a native and lifelong resident of Durham, the son of the late William Edgar Watson, Sr. and Alma Florence Nicholas Watson. He served in the U. S. Army National Guard. Retiring after 33 ½ years from the Durham Fire Department he continued to own and operate Biggs and Watson Wrecker Service. He was a member of the Oak Grove Masonic Lodge 750 and the Sudan Shriners. He was an avid racing fan and was active in racing from 16 years old until last Saturday night. He was an original legend at the Orange County/Trico Speedway and several other local tracks. Donnie was a member of Fletcher’s Chapel United Methodist Church and the Genesis Sunday School Class. He was preceded in death by 7 brothers and 1 sister.He is survived by his wife, Margaret Biggs Watson; one son, Donald Kemp Watson, Jr. “Rocky” of Durham; stepson, Ricky N. Robinson and wife, Debbie of Durham; daughters, Donna Callahan of Durham, Cindy McCullough of Timberlake, Vicky Yeingst of Raleigh, Brenda Lasater of Durham and Cathy Rudisill of Morehead City; two brothers, Wayne Watson of Durham and Connie Watson of Pilot Mtn; 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at Fletcher’s Chapel United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Heather Lear and Pastor Jack Moody. Burial with Masonic Rites will be in the Oak Grove Memorial Gardens. Mr. Arthur Byrd will conduct the Masonic Rites. Active pallbearers will be Danny McDuffie, Mike Byrd, Tommy Lemons, Rodney Watson, Dennis Watson and W.E. Butch Watson III. Honorary pallbearers will be Buddy Watson and Joe Watson.The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home and other times at the home of Ricky Robinson, 3812 Churchill Circle in Durham.