Ernest Mohler Watts

Ernest Mohler Watts (1928 - 2011) was blessed by God on February 17, 2011 with a quiet and dignified passing that ended his full and rich life on this earth. This followed many years of failing health during which time he always maintained a positive attitude, providing consistent encouragement to family and friends. After his first heart attack at age 39, he had two open heart surgeries, and survived cancer. After his last heart attack approximately 18 months ago, his doctors estimated he had possibly three months to live. Finally, with loved ones surrounding him constantly in the last three weeks of his life, his physical condition worsened as he slipped into a coma the last two days prior to his peaceful passing into heaven.

Ernest, or "Mohler" as he was called by many of those close to him, was born in the oil-developed "Boomtown" of Burkburnett, Texas on December 17, 1928, less than one year before the beginning of the Great Depression. A preacher's kid and the youngest of eight children, his mother, Bessie Louise Avera (Bessie Louise Watts), died at age 45 when he was only 6 years old. As a child he developed in an environment of love and discipline, together with his seven siblings, who all unselfishly helped to raise their youngest brother. Ernest was raised in East Texas, with the dedication and strength of his father, Howard V. Watts, a Methodist minister who completed his ministry in the late 60's at the little white church on the hill in Chapel Hill, Texas. Ernest attended Milby and Austin High Schools in Houston and graduated from Freeport, Texas High School as Valedictorian of his class.

In 1945, at age 16, Ernest attended Texas A&M as a member of the Corps of Cadets for two years where he competed in the sport of boxing. In the following years he worked odd jobs to make ends meet. This included working on the loading docks of the Houston ship channel. There he performed difficult physical work, that union workers would not do, in order to work his way through school. He finally received his BBA degree from the University of Houston in 1951. After graduation, Ernest followed the example of his oldest brother, Howard V. Watts Jr., also known as "Buddy" by the many people who loved him. Buddy was eleven years older than Ernest. Ernest saw his brother Buddy survive victorious campaigns in North Africa and Sicily as a First Lieutenant under General George S. Patton and then finally become a fallen soldier and recipient of the Silver Star for extraordinary heroism fighting for his country in Normandy. Ernest followed his big brother's example to serve his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He received his honorable discharge in 1953.

After he completed his military service, Ernest went to work in the accounting department of Humble Oil and Refining (i.e. ExxonMobil) in Houston, Texas. There he met and married Barbara Marie Minter (Barbara Marie Watts), his eternally beloved wife of 55 years. Between 1956 and 1963, Ernest and Barbara had three children, two boys and finally a little girl. As a devout Christian and family man, he provided a cornerstone witness to his family and friends.

Ernest left Humble Oil and Refining Company and became the Financial Controller for Gray Tool Company, servicing the oil industry in Houston, Texas. In the 1960's he was elected President of the Administrative Management Society of Houston where he had the opportunity to work briefly with then Congressman George H. W. Bush. In 1976 he retired from Gray Tool Company and initiated Watts-Huet and Associates, Inc., a real estate investment firm which was an entrepreneurial training ground for his two sons as well as a business venture.

After years of success in real estate as a licensed Real Estate Broker and investor, he officially retired but maintained his real estate investments on an ongoing basis. Beginning around 1990, he gradually shifted his focus toward volunteer work for various churches and other not-for-profit organizations. In 2001, with his consistent and reliable fatherly advice, his two sons completed a sophisticated and critical corporate reorganization, taking control of a small publicly traded company. Within three years they refocused the business as an international exploration and production company in the oil and gas industry. This company obtained a listing on the American Stock Exchange in 2005 as it developed potential for discovering and producing world class oil reserves.

As part of an international venture offshore the Republic of Guinea in West Africa, in 2006 Ernest volunteered on the initial board of directors for the American Friends of Guinea (AFG), a not-for-profit organization. Supporting his legacy for helping people his entire life, the Department of Health of Guinea has independently estimated that AFG's actions and medical aid to the people in Guinea have saved over 6,000 lives from 2007 - 2010.

Ernest is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara M. Watts, of Franklin, Tennessee, his two sons and their wives, Michael E. Watts and Cynthia Watts of Sugar Land, Texas, and Kent P. Watts and Frances Watts of Pearland, Texas, his daughter Lori M. Quinn and son-in-law Benny Quinn of Franklin, Tennessee, his brother John D. Watts of Austin, Texas, seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and a multitude of loving friends.

As he learned from his family growing up, he consistently taught his children to prioritize on the direction of God, country, family, and friends, in that order, to always strive to do your best and to never be wasteful. His way of life was to cheerfully and unselfishly give toward helping others. Even in planning his own funeral services and as the financial professional he was, he designed a way for his estate to have a net gain upon his death. He simply did not want to be a burden to anyone.

Believing he would be so kind and gracious to allow others to express their love to him, his family has established a day of celebration for the life of Ernest Mohler Watts to be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 4, 2011 at The Settegast-Kopf Company @ Sugar Creek, located at 15015 Southwest Fwy., Sugar Land, TX 77478.

In memory of Ernest, the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations would please be made to specifically help the hydrocephalus-stricken babies and young children in Guinea. Such donations may be made by check written to "American Friends of Guinea." Donations may be delivered to Ernest's son, Kent Watts, in person at the memorial celebration, or by mail to: 2800 East Broadway, Suite C, PMB 716, Pearland, Texas 77581. (More information about AFG may be obtained at www.AFGuinea.org.)