John Watts

JOHN "DICK" WATTS

Marengo

John Richard "Dick" Watts, 84, of Clinton, Mo., formerly of Marengo, died Friday, June 5, 2015, at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, Mo., following a short illness. Graveside memorial services will be at a

later date. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dick is survived by two loving children: a son, Gary Watts of Clinton, Mo., and a daughter, Lori Gates and husband Steve of Neosho, Mo.; two grandchildren, Ryan Gates of Maryville, Mo., and Megan Gates of Alexandria, Va.; a sister, Darlene Denison of Center Point; a sister, Marcene Rauch of Sterling, Kan.; a sister, Marilyn Ward of Mercedes, Texas; a brother, John Watts of Colbert, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Ehrman Watts; his parents, John and Gale (Height) Watts; a sister, Patricia (Watts) Taylor; a brother, Harold Lewis Watts; and a brother, George Eugene Watts.

Dick was born Oct. 8, 1930, in What Cheer, Iowa, the son of John Harold and Gale Height Watts. He received his early education in the What Cheer and Deep River schools. He entered the service in 1947 at the age of 17, joining the U.S. Navy. John served in the Navy from 1947 until 1954, seeing action in the Korean conflict. He married Marilyn Ehrman on April 14, 1956, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua.

He was a general contractor and owned and operated Watts Construction from 1959 until his retirement in 1996.

He was a member of the Marengo American Legion and Marengo Jaycees. Dick was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing with friends and family. In 1996, he moved from Marengo to Missouri, where he enjoyed his retirement and was close to family.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.klosterfuneral home.com.