Watts, Reynold E.

He was a 1937 graduate of Greenfield High School.

When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor he was drafted into the Army, and left for training at Fort Ord, Monterey Bay, Calif., on Dec. 21, 1941. He served in the 32nd Infantry Division and then in the Amphibian Engineers No. 592. Reynold served in New Guinea, Australia and the Philippines, where he was involved in the largest amphibious invasion of the Pacific Theatre, the retaking of the Philippines Islands, the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Reynold returned stateside in August 1945. He was a patriotic American and proud of his country.

He married Mary Ellen Eversull on Oct. 16, 1945, in Des Moines. They settled in Redfield, where they farmed 700 acres.

Reynold grew up in the Depression and was part of the “Greatest Generation.” His strong work ethic and values were his legacy to his children and grandchildren. Reynold valued the love of his wife and children, and especially cherished his grandchildren. He was extremely proud of his grandson, Brian, who was an F-16 fighter pilot and served in Iraq.

In 1959, they moved to Oskaloosa, where they owned/operated Western Auto. Reynold and Mary resided in Oskaloosa most of their lives where they were members of the Central United Methodist Church and were community and civic minded. Reynold was a member of Y's Men in Oskaloosa and enjoyed its annual Christmas tree Drive. After the death of his brother Merle, Reynold purchased the family century farm near Stuart. Reynold liked to fish, hunt, boat and especially enjoyed driving the boat while his family and kids water-skied.

Reynold is survived by his two children, Gary Watts (Becky) of Iowa City and Sandy Cunningham (Mark) of Springfield, Mo.; and five grandchildren, Brian, Jaime and Emily Watts, Todd (Mona) VanBokhoven and Amy VanBokhoven.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Ellen in 2007; one brother, Merle; and two sisters, Ione and Evelyn.

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