Lance Cpl. Franklin Namon Watson, 21, of Vonore, Tenn., died Sept. 24 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Company D, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Knoxville, Tenn. Frankie graduated from Sequoyah High School in 2008. Teachers and coaches remember a vibrant young man and a proven leader on the football field. After graduation, he worked as a deputy in the Monroe Co. Sheriffs Department and patrol officer for the Madisonville Police Department. He joined the Marines Corps Reserve in July 2010. His law enforcement career began as a part time deputy with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. Survivors include his mother and step-father, Stacy and Jack Couch; father and step-mother, Troy N., Jr. and Katie Watson; grandparents, Troy N., Sr. and Edith Imogene Nash Watson; aunts and uncles, Valerie and Rick Watson, Norman Virgil Watson, Laurie and Tim McDaniel, Norma Renee Watson, Jana and Joe Stakely, Susan and Darrell Atkins, Donna and David Bookout; extended family friends, Lowell Russell, Cory and Crystal Russell. Preceded in death by grandparents, Birch and Joyce Walker Shell.
- Rank: Lance Corporal
- Date of birth: 6 April 1990
- Date of death: 24 September 2011
- County: Monroe
- Hometown: Madisonville
- Service Branch: Marine Corps
- Division/Assignment: 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division
- Conflict: Afghanistan
- Burial/Memorial Location: Hiwassee Church of God Cemetery, Madisonville, Monroe County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XXV, Top Panel
- Sponsored by: Tim & Beth Eichhorn
