Edward Joseph Watson III passed away July 1, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV at the age of 59 years old.  He was born to Ed and Sara Watson on April 2, 1964 in Seattle, WA.

He grew up in Mount Vernon and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1982 and continued his education briefly at Washington State University and Pacific Lutheran University.

Ed married Susan Oakland in June 1986 and they welcomed their only child, a daughter Alissa, in August 1991.

Throughout the years, Ed was best known in the community for opening and operating the first retirement home in Mount Vernon,  Mountain Glen Retirement Center, in 1987 and later Creekside Retirement Community in Burlington in 2001.

Ed pursued his dream of driving and owning a racecar in the NASCAR Northwest Tour. As a true rookie, he joined the Raybestos Brakes NW Series tour in 1993 and raced for 13 years.  His enthusiasm and thrill of racing took him to many asphalt and road course tracks throughout the PNW. He thoroughly enjoyed the competition and camaraderie among the drivers and crews.  He built a reputation as a determined, competitive and fierce driver.  He was honored to receive the Northwest tour "Most Improved Driver" award in 2002.

Ed truly enjoyed living life to the fullest. He loved going for adventures and exploring new places in his motorhome.  Some of his favorite days were spent at the family lake home on Lake Cavanaugh with friends and family, fishing, or riding jet skis with Alissa. He was full of personality and usually the loudest one in the room, but full of love and helping the people he loved the most.  It was very important to him to give back to his community by his generous donations to the SPARC Your Engines auction, the Santa breakfast at Creekside Retirement  and Theater Arts Guild productions.

He made a transition to move to Las Vegas to be closer to his daughter Alissa and her growing family.  He was a devoted father, and his greatest joy was being a grandpa and spending time with his granddaughter, Laila; we are so grateful for the time he had with her.

Ed is survived by his daughter Alissa Watson (Scott Johnson), granddaughter Laila Alexandra Johnson,  Alissa's mother Susan Watson,  sister Debbie Gudmundsson (Petur), and brother Brad Watson,  aunt and uncle Peachy and Jay Smalling, also several cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Sara Watson and his beloved Rottweiler, Bella.

A service will be held at a later date to be announced.