In Memoriam: Tom Watts

    Tom Watts, a citizen of Smithville since the year 2000, went home to his Lord on Sunday, August 14, 2016.  He left this world surrounded by his wife, his friends, and his family.  It was a joyous occasion filled with music, stories, laughter, and love.  
    Tom was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on September 28, 1943, and he attended college at LSU.  He was inducted into the USAF in 1962 and met Jo at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, where he was stationed until he was sent to Wheelus AFB, Tripoli, Libya.  At the end of his 18 month deployment, he and Jo were married in San Antonio and moved to Andrews AFB, Washington, D.C.
    Their three sons were all born in different states as they travelled with Tom’s jobs to Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Maryland, Washington, California, Nevada, and Colorado.  They also made their homes in two places in England and two in Saudi Arabia.
    He worked for several government agencies and for private industries.  The two he remembered with pride were working at NASA for Apollos 11, 12, and 13, which he considers to be the most exciting of our space program, and being cited by name in a Russian document as being an enemy of the state (the USSR) while working in conjunction with the British government.  That made him pretty proud… and careful.
    All who knew him would tell you that Tom loved his God, his family, and his country, and that he was a true patriot.
    Tom was preceded to Heaven by his grandson, Tommy Watts III, and his parents, Dorothy and Toby Watts, all of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
    He is survived by his wife of 52 years and 1 day, Jo Watts; his sons, Tommy Watts, Jr., John (Dub) Watts and his wife Robin, and Jimmy Watts; his grandchildren, Jason Weir, Rani Weir, Patrick Weir, Meghan Watts, Bonnie Watts, Severn Watts, William Watts, and Marleigh Watts, all of Bastrop County; and his brother and sister in law, Carroll and Ileta Watts of Baton Rouge.  He was loved and survived by numerous sisters in law, a brother in law, and nephews and nieces who are all going to miss him, his wisdom, and his humor desperately.
    A celebration of his life will take place at the Colorado River Cowboy Church, just east of Smithville on Highway 71, on Saturday, August 27 at 2:00 p.m.  There will be a reception afterward at the church.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be left in the mailbox in the lobby of the church.  Donations may be made to the Colorado Cowboy Church Central Flood Victims Fund, 680 Ole Antioch Road, Smithville, Texas, 78957.
    Happy trails, Tom.