James A Watts

MSgt (Ret) James Arthur Watts passed away on February 26, 2016 of natural causes. Jim, as family and friends called him, lived in Olathe, Kansas for the past year with his son, Tim and his boxer, Thor. He was born in Horton, Kansas, on December 9, 1937 and raised in Sabetha and Mineral, Kansas. During his formative years, Jim attended and completed both grade and high schools before attending Peru State College.

On February 15, 1959, Jim married the love of his life, Sue Cox while employed as a grocery associate in Topeka. In August of 1960, during the Vietnam War, Jim volunteered to join the United States Air Force and attended basic training nuclear maintenance training schools at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado. Jim served around the globe as a Nuclear Weapons Maintenance Technician, as a Continuous Photo-processing Technician, as a Missile Maintenance Superintendent, and as a First Sergeant. His final assignment was Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, where Jim retired at the rank of Master Sergeant after 24 years of service. During his long and distinguished career, Jim earned the Bronze Star, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Vietnam Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

After his military retirement, Jim went back to college and earned a degree in accounting. He attended the College of Great Falls. After graduation, Jim earned a position working for the State of Montana as a Workman’s Compensation Auditor. He travelled all over the state and retired after 13 years.

Jim enjoyed watching the NY Yankees, reading and syfy movies.

Sue, his bride of 41 years, his father and mother, and his brother, preceded him in death. Surviving him are: two daughters, Michelle who resides in Colorado Springs, CO and Kelly who lives in Lansing, Kansas; two sons, Michael of Raytown, MO and Timothy of Olathe, KS, two sons-in-law (Mike and David), four grandchildren (Corinne, Trevor, Jessica, Cassye) and seven great grandchildren (Jason, Jamie, Madison, Winter, Konlyn, Braedon, Grayson.)

No services are planned. In place of flowers, the family requests donations to the Turn 2 Foundation on derekjeter.com.