Donald Leroy Watts

Donald Leroy Watts was born on July 2, 1931 in Burchard, NE to George and Maree Watts. The family moved to Kennard in 1941 where he spent the remainder of his childhood. Don graduated from Kennard High School in 1948.

He played for the St. Louis Cardinals farm team in 1949. Don had many stories of his baseball days and his travels to play with the team in Albany, GA. He loved cheering for his beloved Cardinals, especially against the Chicago Cubs, and he never missed watching a game.

Donald was married to Gladys Vivian Jensen on February 26, 1952. To this union, 8 children were born. Don and Gladys spent most of their married life in Blair. Gladys was a stay at home mom while Don sold insurance. While work kept him busy and often on the road, he rarely missed an anniversary, family picnic, birthday or high school athletic event.

Don was drafted into the United States Army and served honorably in Korea in 1952. Though he missed the birth of his first child while in Korea, he was proud of his service.

Don had many hobbies throughout the years. He owned a cabin in Niobrara, NE where he loved to hunt and fish. He and his sons, along with his sons’ friends, shared many laughs behind a duck blind, often at the expense of one of Don’s stories about his hunting expertise.

Horse Racing was another one of Don’s hobbies. He and some of his buddies formed the Our Gang Syndicate and owned several thoroughbreds. Don enjoyed watching his horses run at tracks as close as Aksarben in Omaha, Fonner Park in Grand Island and as far away as Turf Paradise in Phoenix, AZ.

He was a Huskers fan who planned many Saturdays around Husker football and week nights around Husker volleyball and basketball.

In his later years, Don could often be found out in his garden growing vegetables or sitting on his front porch throwing food to the squirrels and birds.

Don was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church and the American Legion.

Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gladys Watts. Children Ann (Kerry) McKain of Blair, Kathy (Dave) Halada & Sue (Melvin) Center all of Lincoln, Jean Watts, Michael (Laura) Watts, Edward (Jimmi) Watts all of Omaha, son-in-law Bob Hullett, daughter-in-law Vickie Watts, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

He was preceeded in death by his parents, George and Maree Watts, daughter Laurie Hullett, and son Robert Watts.

Memorials can be directed to St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair, NE.