Richard Watts Sr.

Richard Lee Watts, Sr., 62, of Spavinaw passed away on Friday, January 24, 2014. He was born on April 10, 1951 in Ottawa, Kansas; the son of Kenneth and Norma Jean (Hobbs) Watts. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Kenneth and Iva Hobbs, on their farm in Blue Mound, Kansas. Richard attended school in Blue Mound and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1969. He was married to Sherry Atkins and together had two children; his son J.R. and daughter Linda. He was later married to Cindy and had a daughter, Mackenzie, who preceded him in death. Rick was a jack of all trades. He worked throughout his life for various oil companies, several railroads, and trucking companies. He also had his own home building company for several years. He retired in 2010 due to a massive heart attack while delivering freight in Jackson, Mississippi. Rick lived all over the United States. He had lived in California, Florida, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Kansas and lastly, Oklahoma. He had many hobbies and had a special love for motorcycles and fast cars, which he had many of during his lifetime. Rick traveled the United States with his friends, Bill "Saddle Bags" Spence, and George "Hawkeye" Pilling III. Rick's handle was Mad Dog and may people only knew him by that name. He was instrumental in establishing the Gulf Coast ABATE motorcycle chapter and served as their president. Rick was proud to know the Gulf Coast Chapter now has over 500 members in the Northwest area of Florida. He will be remembered by all the wonderful memories he leaves behind and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., with memorial services immediately following at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 31, 2014 at the Shipman Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery in Ottawa at a later date. To leave his family a message, please visit his Book of Memories at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service. Rick is survived by his mother, Norma Jean Barbour of Humboldt, Kansas; his sister, Laura Depierro of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; son, J.R. Watts of Coffeyville, Kansas and daughter, Linda Staton of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 5 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, uncles, cousins and good friends.

Previous Events