John Thomas Watts, (affectionately known as “Big Tom”) age 76, of Pine Bluff, passed away Saturday, June 9, 2012 at home surrounded by his beloved family and friends. He had fought a courageous battle with lung cancer since November of 2010.
Tommy was very passionate in his love for his family, and took great pride in each of their accomplishments. He never met a stranger, and was gifted with a talent of drumming up a conversation with anyone. His wit and dry sense of humor was one of a kind. With Tommy, things were either black or white: there was no gray.
He was born March 2, 1936 at Grapevine, and graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1954. A graduate of Georgia Tech, he was a running back in the 1955 Cotton Bowl win over Arkansas. He coached Junior Babe Ruth Baseball for 15 years. One of his players participated in the World Series Championship in 1975, and gave Tommy an autographed Baseball from those games.
Tommy had worked for Arkla Gas, the Corps of Engineers, and the Cotton Belt Railroad. He then went to work for the Arkansas State Highway Department, and was transferred to Mena. In 1963, he returned to Pine Bluff and began work at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, where he retired in 1993 as Chief of Buildings, Grounds, Utilities, and Production Support Division. He had 33 total years of service with the Federal Government. He was also a Registered Professional Engineer, and had his own surveying business from 1963-1981.
He joined Matthews Memorial Baptist Church in 1963, where he served on various committees. He was a Mason and served on the Ramick Cemetery committee for a number of years.
He and his Uncle Charlie Ragan, established the Watts Hunting Club in 1965 at Grapevine. Tommy was an outdoorsman to the core: deer, turkey, and quail hunting, along with fishing in his flat-bottom boat. Tommy was a turkey caller for years, and spent many hours teaching, practicing, and calling with family and friends.
Surviving him is his devoted wife and caregiver, Linda Williams Watts, whom he married on June 19, 1998; his children, Tommy “Duke” Watts (Becky), Sherry Turbeville (James), and Stephanie (Chris) Bateman, all of Grapevine; Grandchildren, Lauren Lively (Landon), Matt, Cole, and Jessica Turbeville, and Nick Bateman; and a sister, Vickie Pennington (Mike) of Farmington, Ark.
Tommy told folks that he was blessed to have had two loves in his life: Linda, and Patricia Hyde Watts, his first wife and the mother of his children, who died in 1995. Preceding him in death are his mother, Connie Lightsey Watts Rhodes; stepfather, Cecil Rhodes; and father, Hardy Hollis Watts.
He was able to stay at home during most of his illness because of the devoted care provided by his wife and compassionate caregivers, Rena Johnson, Dianna Locklear, and Teresa Mothershed.
Tommy’s family thanks the staff of Hospice Angels; Dr. Atiq and staff; Dr. Dedman and staff; Cindy Brown; and Regin Reginio; along with family and friends for their comfort, prayers, and expressions of care and concern through the years.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. at Fuller Hale-South Funeral Chapel with Brother M. L. Faler officiating. Interment will follow in Ramick Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ramick Cemetery, 8001 Rawls Circle, Pine Bluff, AR 71603; or Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, Post Office Box 1124, Pine Bluff, AR 71613.
Online condolences: FullerFunerals.com.