Rip Alan Watts

1952 - 2017

Rip Alan Watts

Clarksville, TN

Rip Alan Watts, 64, of Clarksville, TN, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2017, at his residence.

Rip was born on November 28, 1952, in Clarksville, TN to the late Murray Camp Watts and Estelle Richards Grambihler. He is also preceded in death by his son, Cameron Ford Watts.

Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, March 24, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. at Madison Street United Methodist Church, with Rev. Willie Lyle and Rev. Lisa Martin officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2017, from 2:00-7:00 p.m. at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home and Friday, March 24, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service at the church.

Rip began his career at First National Bank before opening his business, Rip Alan Watts Auto Sales for 20 years, where he was known as the Corvette King of Clarksville. He retired from Austin Peay State University in 2011, where he was the Director of Corporate Relations. He graduated from Austin Peay State University and completed Banking School at Vanderbilt University. He was active in the Jaycees. He worked extensively for numerous children's charities to include the founding of the Cameron Ford Watts Memorial Scholarship at APSU, the first of its kind for disabled students. Rip was an avid barefoot water skier, car enthusiast, and consummate showman. He never met a stranger and was loved by all.

Rip is survived by two sons, Conner Richards Watts and Carson Rip Watts of Clarksville, TN; the mother of his children, Sandra Ford; two sisters, Murray Dale Watts and Kathy L. Watts of Clarksville, TN; step-father, Dr. Ken Grambihler of Clarksville, TN; and three nieces, Kathryn Norbeck Dayley, Tiffany Norbeck, and Morgan Kurz Torres.

Honorary pallbearers will be Greg Mosley, Hershal Basham, Steve Allensworth, Bob Golden, Ben Shearron, Larry Farley, Teddy Biggar, Craig Schryver, Larry Richardson, Ben Kimbrough, Jr., David Johnson, Jeff Turner, Glen Smith, Hogie Lewis, Lemoine Black, Charlie Merriwether, Willie Gold, and Mark Briggs.

Rip's family would like to make special mention of Greg Mosley, he was the best friend a man could ask for.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rip Watts Memorial Fund for the education of his sons, at any F&M Bank in Clarksville, TN.

Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Online condolences may be made at www.nealtarpleyparchman.com.