The family of Thomas George Watson, 70, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders attend the funeral service for their Hero, it will be our honor to do so.
Thomas Watson enlisted in the US Air Force in Los Angeles, CA He was a member of USAF, Combat Control from June 24, 1966 to December 5, 1974. Thomas Watson, was a trained and licensed Air Traffic Control Operator, completed Basic Combat Control School, Arctic Survival Training Course, Basic Airborne with the US Army, Jumpmaster Course Training, Tropical Survival Course Training, Survival Training Course S-V80-A, Basic Aerial Del Course, Parachute Packing and Inspection Course, US Navy Training Course AirControlman3&2, (916761A), National Agency Check, DOD NAC Center, Fort Holabird, Maryland.
Thomas Watson served in Vietnam and many other overseas locations in classified missions as a team member of Combat Control and in several United States duty stations as well. He was honorably discharged from the US Air Force at Norton AFB, San Bernardino, CA, at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
After leaving the US Air Force, Mr. Watson served as a police officer with the San Bernardino Country Police Department, then later as plant manager for Quaker State/ Penzoil companies, and retired for the last time from ARNCO, in Orange County. He enjoyed fishing, shooting, photography, traveling with his family, reading, keeping in touch with his military friends and attending reunions with them, serving his church, loved Nascar racing, and spent many hours on his computer, cared for his 96 year old Father who passed just a few days before he did, once again, God was gracious. His dad would have been broken to lose Tom, as he lost his youngest daughter just a few short years ago.
Mr. Watson's body was donated to a research center, MedCure in Nevada, that researches serious illness such as Mr. Watson's. Watson’s family hopes that donation will help find cures or treatments for future patients.
Sadly Thomas Watson died of a very invasive cancer that is being researched as possibly being initiated by exposure to Agent Orange and possibly other influencing contaminants that weaken and slowly destroy tissue and organs of those exposed.
This is a Combat Related (CR) mission, dog tags will be availableThomas is survived by his wife Lynn (Dee), His Sister, Sandy Denny, Daughter, Suzy Humphries, and her son Charlie, his son, Jeffery T. Watson and his bride Andrea, his step-son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Michelle McDowell with who he shared two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran.
Time table for Wednesday, 17 MAY 17:0915-Stage at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518 (PGR North of Staging Area #8)
https://goo.gl/maps/VEENMUFNYiv0935-Mission briefing
1000 - KSU to assigned shelter for Flag Line, Service & Military Honors
R/C Dean "Deano aka Gofer" Parker
So Cal PGR Ride Captain
dean1951@verizon.net
909-732-7235
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
