It's with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donald Ira Watts. He lived 92 wonderful years. He passed Jan. 11, 2015, in Sacramento, Calif. Don was born May 6, 1922, in Glenns Ferry, Idaho, to Kathryn Tennant and Ira W. Watts.
Don was schooled in Winnemucca, Nev. He belonged to several clubs while playing football, basketball and track. He held the position of student body treasurer his senior year. While in high school he set several track and field records, which took several decades to break. He was also Nevada's first half-back on the All-American Six Man football team in 1940. He was given this honor along with 30 outstanding players out of a field of approximately 42,000 candidates. He graduated from Humboldt County High School in 1940. Many years later he gave his trophies and All-American Cup to Humboldt County High School. They are still on display at Albert Lowry High School.
Don Joined the Navy and fought in World War II. After joining the Navy, he married Alta Ruth Cooper on Dec. 13, 1943. They settled in Winnemucca, Nev., after his service. He was then employed by Western Pacific Railroad, where he was a switchman, until his retirement. While living in Winnemucca, he and Ruth raised three wonderful daughters: Donna Gini, Patricia Lea, Eileen Kaye and Ruth's youngest brother John T. Cooper, who were all lucky enough to attend the same school he did and even shared some of the same teachers, who loved and adored him. "We had big shoes to fill and we did our best."
After the closing of the Winnemucca Depot (1964-1965), he transferred to the Sacramento Depot. In 1969 he married Lela Mack. They resided in Sacramento. He took much pleasure in his beautiful garden and fruit trees. He loved spending spent time with his step-son, Jeff, at the A's baseball games.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Kathryn A. McGinnis; father, Ira W. Watts; brother, Alfred Watts, baby boy Watts.
He is survived by his wife, Lela Watts; daughters, Gini Cooper-Watts, Patti (Don) King, and Kati (Mariano) Santiago; his step-sons Jeff (Judy) Mack, Jerry (Sharon) Mack, Dennis (Bev) Mack; his granddaughters, Brandi (Paul) Hatfield, Chariti Donn Rimington, Roxann (Travis) White; his niece Carrie Keller; great-granddaughters, Kayetlynn Hicks, Gabriell Hicks, and Fiona White; and great-great-granddaughter MiaKoda Hicks.[[In-content Ad]]
