Fred "Doug" Douglas Watts

Fred Douglas “Doug” Watts, of Seale, passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at age 80.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 27, 2022, at the Living Water Church in Groesbeck (308 N. Leon St.), with Pastor George Ibarra officiating.   Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Winston Watts, Tommy Roberts, Blake Bevill, Lance Andrews, Lucas Andrews, Tom Andrews, Scott Andrews, and Dustin Derington. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Matthew Ibarra, Mark Ibarra, Robert Carvin, Joseph Andrews, Gerald Tanner, Jason Tanner, Shawn Andrews, Dean Andrews, Larry Krenek, Billy Watts, David Watts, Jay Andrews and D.C. Watts.

Doug was born November 21, 1941, to James Benjamin Watts and Alene Elizabeth (Story) Watts in Groesbeck.  After his mother died when he was very young, His stepmother was Rose Watts, and he was second to youngest of six siblings, Billy Watts, Frances Smysor, James Watts, Mary Lou Tanner, and half-brother, Harold Watts.    He grew up in Brazoria County and graduated from Angleton High School in 1961.  While in high school, he received a degree in radio communications from DeVry Institute and later he took more college courses in electrical instrument digital work.   His father built him a radio repair shop while still in high school and he repaired the equipment in the highway patrol vehicles.  He was an instructor at the College of the Mainland, teaching electronics.

He worked for Cole Electric in Angleton wiring houses, before he changed to working at Monsanto in Texas City in 1962.   He started there in the mailroom, then became an electrical apprentice, and worked there for 19 years.

Doug was united in marriage with Mary Edna Andrews on June 2, 1962, in Angleton, and they lived in Texas City.  

In 1971, they were living in Santa Fe and Doug’s passion for tractors began with his first Ford tractor, and he later acquired a Massey Ferguson.   He mowed pastures on weekends for extra income.    Other interests outside of his living for his work and his family, were deer hunting and music.  He played guitar and while in high school FFA, won a contest playing and singing Marty Robbins’ “White Sports Coat and Pink Carnation.”

In 1981, Doug moved his wife and youngest child to Saudi Arabia when he went to work for Aramco.   After orientation in Houston, they were flown on a small company charter plan, with a stop in Bangor, Maine (for the pilot to buy diapers for babies on board) and a stop in Paris, where Mrs. Watts was able to shop some Paris shops in the airport.  They landed in Dhahran KSA in 115-120-degree heat on July 11, 1981 during Ramadan, and following the country’s custom they were not allowed to eat or drink outside the U.S. encampment.  In spite of adjustments to the local customs and the heat, the whole family loved their time living there, and Doug really loved the Saudis he worked with.   He worked as an electrical instrument digital engineer and instructor there for 16 years. His family had to evacuate back to the U.S. during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, but his work was essential, so he remained.   They enjoyed good living conditions, and they entertained U.S. troops in their home during weekends.  The troops loved the opportunity for U.S. food, baths, and walking barefoot on grass instead of sand.    Doug’s faith grew deeper during this period.  The family was allowed to attend worship on Fridays in the compound, and he invited Phillipine workers to attend.  He loved his Saudi co-workers and they adored him and told him they recognized the difference of his Christian life, as he was living his faith in front of them.  He continued his love of music playing in a band there named “Country Crude.”   He loved bluegrass, classic country and gospel and had an extensive record collection.

Doug and his wife bought a house in Seale in 1986 and spent their vacations away from the job there and he enjoyed hunting on this acreage and spending time with his children.  As his children became adults, they had good conversations and he related more to them sharing his insight and wisdom.

Doug retired from Aramco and the family moved back to the United States in May 1997.  While Mary lived at Seale, Doug worked all over the work as a contractor for Lindinger Co. doing electrical inspections, with one assignment being back in Saudi Arabia.   He retired from Lindinger in 2006, and enjoyed life at Seale with his tractor, his truck “Fred” and music.

Doug was a member of the First Baptist Church in Santa Fe, then Living Word church in Groesbeck where his son-in-law was Pastor.   He and Mary were instrumental in helping his son-in-law and daughter establish the Triumphant Life Church in Mexia.

Doug’s family was by his side as his health failed, and the last words he could communicate with them were “that’s my boy”, “that’s my baby” and “I love you.”

Doug was welcomed to his heavenly home by his parents and his stepmother; in-laws; brothers; sisters; and 2 of his grandsons, Matthew Ibarra and Mark Ibarra.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Edna Watts; son and daughter-in-law, Paul Douglas Watts and Traci Watts of Tyler; daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Watts Ibarra and George of Seale; daughter and son-in-law, Lacey Annette Watts Carvin and Robert of Giddings.  His 6 grandchildren are: Marybeth Roberts, Winston Watts, Mackenzie Bevill, Michaela Ibarra, Adriane Carvin and Jordan Carvin; and the 10 great grandchildren are: Natalie and Micah Roberts, Alexandria, Arthur, Abbeygail, Andrew and Anthony Ibarra, Slade and Paxton Watts and Harrison Bevill; and there are also numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.