The distraught parents of a former Angus soldier have paid tribute to their “dedicated” son after he was found dead.
Father-of-two Stewart Watson was found in his car on the B978 by Kirkbuddo at the weekend.
His parents said the circumstances were even worse than if the Carnoustie man had died on a tour of duty.
Former army sergeant major Mr Watson, 45, was found at the wheel with a dog he had bought the week before.
His father Ross Watson said: “It has been very difficult I’ve got no more tears left to cry. If he passed away in battle it would have been hard but this is harder.”
Mr Watson, who travelled from work in Trinidad when he found out, said his son had been a dedicated soldier for 22 years.
The soldier had served in both Gulf wars, Bosnia and Kosovo and returned to his home town and worked at Gemini Corrosions in Montrose.
His father added: “We were very proud of him. He was very dedicated we called him army barmy.
“He wanted to be a soldier from the time he was a very young boy and he got his wish.”
Mum Olive said: “I remember him as a happy-go-lucky lad.”
Stewart, who has twin 16-year-old sons, Kane and Kurt, grew up in Carnoustie, attending Carlogie Primary and Carnoustie High School.
He completed an apprenticeship as a plumber before joining the Scots Dragoon Guards.
Police Scotland closed the road at 5.30pm near the crossroads at Forfar.
A spokeswoman said: “We were alerted by a 999 call.”