1938
Gerald
2011
Gerald Watts
May 8, 1938 — June 11, 2011
A room always seemed more alive when Gerald D. Watts was in it. With his gift for conversation, storytelling -- some stories taller than others -- and a devotion to family and friends, "Jerry" was someone people wanted to be around. The feeling was mutual. "The first time you are a guest, and from then on you're family," Mr. Watts was fond of saying. He was an irreplaceable pillar in the lives of family and friends. That life came to an end
Saturday, June 11, 2011, at St. Luke's South Hospital, when Mr. Watts, of Overland Park, died from complications due to pneumonia. He was 73.
Mr. Watts was born on May 8, 1938 in Omaha, NE., the son of Ella Mae (Ballenger) and Max E. Watts. He graduated from Ottawa University in 1961, and worked in the computer industry during its infancy. He married Janet Watts on June 12, 1060 in McPherson, KS. Mr. Watts retired in 1999 after selling Professional Resources, a computer consulting firm co-owned with son Michael Watts.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, the former Janet Hawkinson of Overland Park; son Michael Watts (Kim) of Lenexa, KS; daughters Sandra Watts of KC, MO, and Laura Sommer (Mark) of Buffalo, NY; grandchildren Melissa Watts (TJ Gomez), Kyle Watts, Johanna Sommer and Nathan Sommer; great-grandchildren Mason Watts and Alexis Gomez; brothers Lloyd Watts (Rose) of Lubbock, TX, Dale Watts (Sallie) of Omaha, NE, and Robert Watts (Patty) of Sacramento, CA; sister Maxine Kelley (Marvin) of Atlanta, GA; brother-in-law Doug Hawkinson (Karen) of McPherson, KS; sister-in-law Gloria Hawkinson of Marquette, KS; numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Richard O. Watts.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 16 at D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66210. Visitation will be held from 5:30-7:30 P.M. Wednesday evening. Burial will be held in the Johnson County Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004 or to Harvesters, 3801 Topping Ave, KC, MO 64129.
Jerry was a devoted and loving husband and father who spread his joy of life to all who knew him.
Saturday, June 11, 2011, at St. Luke's South Hospital, when Mr. Watts, of Overland Park, died from complications due to pneumonia. He was 73.
Mr. Watts was born on May 8, 1938 in Omaha, NE., the son of Ella Mae (Ballenger) and Max E. Watts. He graduated from Ottawa University in 1961, and worked in the computer industry during its infancy. He married Janet Watts on June 12, 1060 in McPherson, KS. Mr. Watts retired in 1999 after selling Professional Resources, a computer consulting firm co-owned with son Michael Watts.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, the former Janet Hawkinson of Overland Park; son Michael Watts (Kim) of Lenexa, KS; daughters Sandra Watts of KC, MO, and Laura Sommer (Mark) of Buffalo, NY; grandchildren Melissa Watts (TJ Gomez), Kyle Watts, Johanna Sommer and Nathan Sommer; great-grandchildren Mason Watts and Alexis Gomez; brothers Lloyd Watts (Rose) of Lubbock, TX, Dale Watts (Sallie) of Omaha, NE, and Robert Watts (Patty) of Sacramento, CA; sister Maxine Kelley (Marvin) of Atlanta, GA; brother-in-law Doug Hawkinson (Karen) of McPherson, KS; sister-in-law Gloria Hawkinson of Marquette, KS; numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Richard O. Watts.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 16 at D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66210. Visitation will be held from 5:30-7:30 P.M. Wednesday evening. Burial will be held in the Johnson County Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004 or to Harvesters, 3801 Topping Ave, KC, MO 64129.
Jerry was a devoted and loving husband and father who spread his joy of life to all who knew him.
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