Robert Bradford Watts

1957 - 2025

Robert Bradford Watts

September 30, 1957 - June 14, 2025

Kennewick, Washington - Brad Watts, a man who could be a smartass ass when he wanted to be, lived a kind and generous life because that's who he was, has passed. He was 67 years old. Brad died on the 14th day of June, 2025, at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland.

Described by his son Dustin as "a tough day" for Brad's family, but steeped with the warm, moving memories that came to each of them out of the life Brad lived with their inclusion in the importance of everything he did.

The centerpiece of that family was his wife, Christy, who he readily described as "the love of my life." They met in 1987. Brad was smitten from the moment he first saw the blond-haired woman sitting on a bar stool while he shot a game of billiards at Bullfrogs, a night club and local hang out in Ocean Beach, San Diego where Christy was out with her girl friend, Jayne, celebrating.

Brad sacrificed his fierce competitive spirit to entice a dance. He walked up to her. "If you will dance with me, I'll lose this game.," he said to her. Christy herself had already noticed this "tall, good-looking guy" shooting pool. She said, "I will". Brad turned, aimed his pool cue, and sank the 8-ball out of sequence. Game over. He lost.. They danced, romance blossomed, and they connected immediately.

With that romance came an immediate family. Christy's daughters Deonna (14) and Jillian (4) Erickson. Then, conceived on Brad's 30th birthday, in June of the following year, Dustin their son.

His children stood vigil with their mother at Brad's bedside in the last hours of his life, a personification of love for the man whose love, attention and involvement had always been a part of their lives. Brad and Christy's daughter, Deonna, preceded Brad in passing, but her memory stayed with him throughout his life.

Brad's life was continuously stimulated by the energetic, loving involvement of his grandchildren, Deonna's son, Logan Butler (wife Mallorie). Jillian's daughter, Stella Kelsch, and Dustin's children, Grady and Kynnadie Watts as well as Dustin's wife Andrea and her twin girls. His children and grandchildren saw Brad as "a pretty cool Papa all the way around."

The love of his family transcended generations. His grandparents Florence and Russel Cloud, uncle Chuck Cloud (wife Ruth) and mother Nancy Cloud. The Watts family too, settled in Tri-Cities and left their mark on Hanford and organized labor. Though many have passed away, Sharon Watts, survives Brad today as a beloved aunt. Brad is survived by his brothers Mike Watts and David Galloway, sister Vicki Watts and a plethora of cousins, nieces and nephews both on the Watts and Christy's side of the family.

Brad, who attended both Pasco and Kennewick schools before graduating from Kamiakin High in the mid-1970s was still in touch with childhood friends, Brad also had countless friendships that formed from his service at Hanford as a sheet metal worker.

Brad loved to laugh and had a wicked and wonderful sense of humor. You had to earn his respect but on the other hand, Brad liked everyone until given a reason not to. He didn't suffer fools. It was his friends that kept him laughing at the best and the worst of times (You know who you are).

Brad loved a good adventure that included any kind of gambling, sports, camping, deep-sea and fresh-water fishing, exciting visits to Mexico (to visit his son by another mother, exchange student Rodrigo (wife Alejandra and family) and other ports of travel. He had many memories and affections for places he visited and lived. They included L.A. comedy clubs in Hollywood , Ocean Beach, and Mexico. People watching was one of his favorite pastimes and he's probably doing it now.

A celebration of Brad's life is to be at 2 p.m. on July 19 at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union St. in Kennewick.