Obituary of Donald Marvin Watson

WATSON, DONALD M., 78, of St. Petersburg died Sunday, March 19 at home. Born in Nashville, TN, he came to St. Pete in 1953 with his parents and siblings. His first job was with his father at Watson’s Foodtown Market as a delivery boy on his bike. He was a Navy veteran. He retired as a salesman for Gerber Baby Food and then went on to work at Florida Forest Products. Don’s passion was car racing. You could find him at multiple dragstrips every weekend racing his 1995 Mustang GT, 1967 American Motors Rambler or his 1965 Mercury Comet 202 Sedan Hi-PO. They were his beloved cars that he and close friends built throughout the years. In his later years you would find Don at NBS Performance where he could be around cars as much as he wanted.

Survivors include a brother, Dr. Robert T. Watson (Carolyn), Tallahassee, FL; son, Gregory M. Watson, Pinellas Park; 2 grandchildren, Kayla Watson and Gavin Watson and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey Watson.

An honorary tribute will take place at Bradenton Motorsports on April 1. A celebration of life will be planned in the coming weeks.