Donald Leroy Watts, age 87 of Blair, passed away Dec. 12, 2018.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair. Family graveside service will be held immediately following the service.

Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, with a vigil at 7 p.m. at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair.

Donald Leroy Watts was born on July 2, 1931, in Burchard to George and Maree Watts. The family moved to Kennard in 1941 where he spent the remainder of his childhood. Don graduated from Kennard High School in 1948.

He played for the St. Louis Cardinals farm team in 1949. Don had many stories of his baseball days and his travels to play with the team in Albany, Ga. He loved cheering for his beloved Cardinals, especially against the Chicago Cubs, and he never missed watching a game.

Donald was married to Gladys Vivian Jensen on Feb. 26, 1952. To this union, eight children were born. Don and Gladys spent most of their married life in Blair. Gladys was a stay at home mom while Don sold insurance. While work kept him busy and often on the road, he rarely missed an anniversary, family picnic, birthday or high school athletic event.

Don was drafted into the United States Army and served honorably in Korea in 1952. Though he missed the birth of his first child while in Korea, he was proud of his service.

Don had many hobbies throughout the years. He owned a cabin in Niobrara, where he loved to hunt and fish. He and his sons, along with his sons' friends, shared many laughs behind a duck blind, often at the expense of one of Don's stories about his hunting expertise.

Horse racing was another one of Don's hobbies. He and some of his buddies formed the Our Gang Syndicate and owned several thoroughbreds. Don enjoyed watching his horses run at tracks as close as Aksarben in Omaha, Fonner Park in Grand Island and as far away as Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Ariz.

He was a Huskers fan who planned many Saturdays around Husker football and week nights around Husker volleyball and basketball.

In his later years, Don could often be found out in his garden growing vegetables or sitting on his front porch throwing food to the squirrels and birds.

Don was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church and the American Legion.

Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gladys Watts. Children Ann (Kerry) McKain of Blair, Kathy (Dave) Halada and Sue (Melvin) Center, all of Lincoln, Jean Watts, Michael (Laura) Watts, Edward (Jimmi) Watts, all of Omaha, son-in-law Bob Hullett, daughter-in-law Vickie Watts, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Maree Watts, daughter Laurie Hullett, and son Robert Watts.

Memorials can be directed to St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair.

#2-Published in the Omaha World Herald December 14, 2018

Watts, Donald Leroy Jul 2, 1931 - Dec 12, 2018 Survived by his wife of 66 years, Gladys Watts; children: Ann (Kerry) McKain of Blair, Kathy (Dave) Halada, and Sue (Melvin) Center, all of Lincoln; Jean Watts, Michael (Laura) Watts, Edward (Jimmi) Watts, all of Omaha; son-in-law, Bob Hullett; daughter-in-law, Vickie Watts; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. MASS: Saturday, 10am, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair. Family graveside service will be held immediately following the service. Family will receive friends from 6-8pm Friday, with a Vigil at 7pm, at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair, NE. Campbell Aman Funeral Home 444 South 17th Blair, NE 402-426-2191 www.campbellaman.com

#3 Funeral Leaflet

In Loving Memory of Donald L. Watts

Born July 2, 1931 Burchard, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest December 12, 2018 Blair, Nebraska

Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 am Saturday, December 15, 2018 St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Father James Netusil Organist: Steve Svobota Vocalist: Lynn Sobota. Musical Selections “On Eagles’ Wings”, “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”, “Be Not Afraid”

Honorary Pallbearers: Robert Matzen, Tim Hullett, Matt Hullett, Mike Hullett, Eric Watts, Aiden Watts

Graveside Service: Holy Cross Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home

~~~ Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

Find a Grave Memorial # 195330275