Eddie Watson

Tracy Edwin Watson, affectionately known as Eddie, passed away on Friday, April 26, surrounded by his loved ones of family and friends. 
Born on June 24, 1952 in Albany, GA to the late Tom and Annie Watson, Eddie was a graduate of Westover High School, Class of 1970. He was very proud to boast that he was part of the very first graduating classes at Westover. Eddie received his Bachelors Degree in Business Management from LaGrange College of Georgia. 
A U.S.A.F. veteran, Eddie completed a tour of Vietnam. He was proud to tell people about the F16 fighter jets he worked on. He began his civil service career with MCLB Albany in 1984 as a GS2 electronics specialist. He retired in 2015, after 39 years, as a GS15 Senior Logistics Management Specialist. 
Eddie wore many hats as a husband, father, papa, brother and uncle. He was wise, fair and never met a stranger. He loved his family deeply. Chances are if you ever played ball in Lee County, you knew Coach Eddie. Eddie, along with his brother Frank, not only coached numerous baseball and football teams, but they were part of the original crew to build the first baseball fields in Lee County. Eddie loved, not just loved, but lived Trojan football. He was so happy to see his beloved Trojans win back to back state titles. Eddie was the voice of the Trojan football team as he announced games in the 1980s. A single male, with no children, he loved Trojan football so much that he still served as President of the Football Booster Club. Eddie was part of the Lee County Chain Gang Crew pulling downs markers for over 30 years at the football games. For the last two seasons, he has served as the official Max Preps football reporter for Lee County. 
In 1988, he met his wife Denise. Over their 30 years of marriage, he has served as Cub Scout Leader, Webelos Leader, Boy Scout Leader and band parent. Eddie was an active member of Leesburg United Methodist Church for 25 years. He served as Chairman of the Administrative Council, President of the Methodist Men and Scouting Coordinator for 10 years. He was a faithful member of the Bible Life Sunday School Class and served on the usher teams for over 25 years. 
Eddie was a member of the American Legion Post 182 in Leesburg, He was active in the Kairos Prison Ministry and the Walk to Emmaus Community. An avid hunter and fisherman, he loved the Georgia Bulldogs, the Atlanta Falcons, Nascar and Wrestling. 
Eddie was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Annie Watson; brothers Frank and Tommy Watson (Barbara) of Lee County.
Eddie leaves his wife, Denise Watson of Leesburg; sons Michael Ruffin of Clermont, FL and Donnie Burchfield (Sandi) of Mascotte, Florida; sister Pennie Watson Erickson of Lee County; grandchildren Madisyn, Brintlee, Bryce, and Paityn Burchfield, all of Mascotte, Florida; sister-in law Travis McDonald (George) of Lee County; brothers-in-law Tim Krake, Poland, Ohio and Billy Krake (Donna) of Leesburg; sister-in-law Hayley Holley (Geoffrey) of Lee County;
special life long friend Phillip Dervan (Cheryl) of Powder Springs, GA; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service is planned for Tuesday, April 30, at Leesburg United Methodist Church, 117 Starksville Rd. Visitation at 10am, Memorial Service at 11AM. Services to be performed by Rev. Lee Smith, Pastor Donnie Burchfield, and Michael Ruffin. 
Those desiring may make memorials in Memory of Eddie Watson to Leesburg United Methodist Church, 117 Starksville Rd Leesburg, GA or P.O. Box 207 Leesburg, GA 31763