Donald Clark Watts

Donald "Don" Watts, 70, passed away peacefully at his home on November 12, 2020, with his beloved wife, Lauraine (Lauri) Watts holding his hand. A pancreatic cancer diagnosis at the beginning of the year was met with determination, grit, and grace. Though the disease ultimately claimed his life, it never robbed him of his sweet temperament or sense of humor. Towards the end, on a day that both he and his family members were worse for wear, he exclaimed "family picture!" and sang "we're in the money," as he shimmied with his knit blanket. Everyone laughed, buoyed by his charm and ability to infuse even the most dire of life's circumstances with his bright light. With a sly smile, and a wink of his sparkling blue eyes, he could suspend time.

Don was born on March 23, 1950 in El Paso, Texas, to Mattie (Lenora) and Jay Watts. As a child, Don rotated duty stations with his father Jay, who was a major with the U.S. Air Force. The family finally settled in New Orleans, Louisiana. Don was the middle child of five siblings, and known as a quiet, sweet soul and peacekeeper of the family. He was self-taught in many disciplines at which he excelled, including tennis, water skiing, pool, chess and his life-long favorite, playing the guitar.

When Don was 22, he met the love of his life, Lauri (18). Don and Lauri were married on May 10, 1975 in Metairie, Louisiana. They fulfilled a dream of having a family there, welcoming daughters Kathryn (Katie) and Megan Watts into the world. With patience, generosity, dedication, and nurturing traits, he was an excellent husband and father and the beloved anchor of his family. Don graduated from the University of New Orleans with a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance, and worked as a cost accountant at Bayou Steel in LaPlace, Louisiana for over 20 years.

Following his family's relocation to Alabama after Hurricane Katrina, Don spent the remainder of his working life as a financial analyst at Regions Bank in Birmingham. He retired in 2019, but stayed busy as a charter member of The Olive Grove Congregational Methodist Church, where he served as the church treasurer and played the guitar on Sunday mornings. His favorite church songs to play on the guitar were "Days of Elijah" and "I'll Fly Away." Don also volunteered with the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. He enjoyed watching football games on TV (especially the LSU Tigers), grilling steaks on the deck, playing online chess games with his son-in-law (Jeremy Fritts), reading legal thrillers and westerns, playing his Diablo video game, and having piña coladas on special occasions. Most of all, he loved spending time with his favorite person, wife Lauri, and told her so every day. He will be dearly missed.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Lenora and Jay Watts. He is survived by his wife Lauri Watts, daughters Katie and Megan Watts, siblings Sandra (Sandi) Wadleigh, William (Bill) Watts, Alan Watts, and Karen Reed. Don is also survived by many in-laws, nieces and nephews, and friends.

Don said before he passed, "live your life, revel in it" and "do something you enjoy every day." It is a challenge gratefully accepted by those he left behind, forever impacted by his death, but more importantly by the way he lived. Celebrations of Don's life will be held in New Orleans and Birmingham at a later date.