Michael Cunningham Watson, Jr.

Dr. Michael Cunningham Watson, Jr. of Raleigh, NC, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 13, 2024, at the age of 65.

The son of Dr. Michael Cunningham Watson and Mary Carolyn Tatum Watson, Mike was the oldest son and second of six children. He was born in Bamberg, South Carolina, where he excelled in academics and sports. He graduated from Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School in 1977. Mike attended Wofford College, where he studied Biology. He was accepted into medical school after 3 years of undergraduate study and graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1984. Mike completed a family medicine residency at Greenwood Self Regional Healthcare in 1987 and a surgical internship at Spartanburg Medical Center in 1989. After completing his academic requirements, Mike returned to Bamberg to practice with his father. From there, Mike spent the rest of his career serving the uninsured and underinsured population in North Carolina.

Mike was a workout enthusiast, a cyclist, and a long-distance runner. He held a Class B skydiving license, having completed over 70 jumps. Mike also had a love for flying and obtained his pilot's license to fly Cessna Aircraft. He loved playing football in high school and was an avid follower of the sport. He found the most joy in watching the Clemson Tigers (when they were winning).

Mike volunteered for medical missions, including taking nearly a month of vacation while at Self to provide care in Thailand Mission Hospital. He volunteered with the Lutheran Church in Swaziland's Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Africa. Mike also volunteered with the United Methodist Volunteers in Missions (UMVIM) in Jamaica, Nicaragua, Brazil, and many other countries. In order to better serve his patients, Mike learned to speak Spanish fluently.

Mike met the love of his life, Tammy Marie Gurganious, at Goshen Medical Center in Faison, NC, where she worked as a nurse. They were married on November 16, 2002 in Wallace, NC. Both strong Christians, they were members of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and later attended Crossroads Fellowship. As a couple, they went on medical mission trips to Ecuador and multiple trips to the Dominican Republic through Volunteers in Medical Missions (VIMM).

Mike was diagnosed with chordoma of the spine, a rare form of bone cancer, in 2015. Instead of traditional treatment, he participated in a trial at Mass General in Boston, Massachusetts. Although cured of the cancer, he endured serious side effects from the treatment which plagued him the rest of his life.

A true servant of his fellow man and a strong believer in giving back, Mike continued his positive outreach to others even as the chronic illnesses secondary to his cancer treatment affected his mobility. Mike found a new purpose in giving "Ask the Doctor" talks at independent living facilities in Raleigh, NC.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Tammy, his five (5) brothers and sisters, Mary Elizabeth ("Mary Beth") Watson-Manheim (Frank Kelly) of Chicago, IL, Caroline Nicholson Watson of Charleston, SC, Joseph Calhoun ("Cal") Watson (Cathy) of Columbia, SC; John Tatum Watson (Donna Weagel) of Atlanta, GA, and Aurelia Cunningham Watson Nelson (Joe) of Boise, ID. Additionally, he is survived by many nieces, nephews, a great niece and a great nephew. Mike was predeceased by his parents.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 12:00 (noon) at The Willows of Raleigh, 2722 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27616, where Mike and Tammy resided for the last three years. A graveside service will be held at South End Cemetery, South Carlisle Street, in Bamberg, SC 29003 at 1:00 pm on January 18, 2025. After the graveside service, visitation will be held at the Fellowship Hall of Trinity United Methodist Church, 11761 Heritage Highway in Bamberg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Volunteers in Medical Missions (VIMM), 265 South Cove Road, Seneca, SC 29672, or United Methodist Volunteers in Missions (UMVIM), c/o Jennifer Parker, 143 Glenbrooke Circle, Columbia, SC 29204.