Clyde Ford Watts' Obituary
Clyde Ford Watts. October 04th 1946, to December 27th, 2013
My father was born the only son to Costa and Alice Watts, brother to his two sisters Pam and Collice. He had a full and “colorful” life as a young man growing up in Longview, Washington. So full and colorful, that he also spent some “formative” time at a boys ranch in Texas.
Upon his return from Texas as a fine young man he met the love of his life, my mother, Sandra Marie Anderson. The two were married in December of 1967 and stood by each-other’s side for the next 46 amazing years. The happy couple lived for a time in Portland but soon settled in Scappoose, Oregon to set roots and raise a family. Their loving union resulted in two children; my sister Jill Marie and I.
As a young man he endeavored to become a Paramedic in the state of Oregon. First, he worked for a small ambulance company in Portland, AA Ambulance. He left that job in the late 70’s to set-up and run the ambulance service in Columbia County at the St Helens Hospital. Later he returned to AA Ambulance and eventually retired as their Operations Director. The time he spent as a Paramedic was truly a point of pride for him. He was a pioneer in the industry and played small yet important roles in developing Pre-Hospital Care in the State of Oregon into a system that is a model that other states still strive to achieve.
In 1992 He suffered a heart attack. He fully recovered from it and had several years of health and happiness afterward. It did, however, necessitate some life changes. Chief among them was his retirement from the EMS industry. Not yet ready to hang up his spurs he went back to school to be trained and certified as a truck driver. He really did love driving them big ol’ trucks.
Eventually, time was not on his side. A hip replacement and other ailments forced him to accept the retirement he so richly deserved. He spent his days frustrating himself on the golf course or anchored up at his favorite fishing holes with some of his best friends.
His grandchildren were the light of his life. Alexandra Marie, Grace Elizabeth, Cameron Dean, Zoe Marie and Penelope Rose could always brighten his day and never do anything wrong. As a family one of the greatest things we are thankful for is that he was able to meet his first Great-Grandson. Warren Grant was born in the autumn of this year.
He is survived by his wife Sandy of Scappoose, OR; daughter Jill (Jason) of Columbia City; and his son Jerry (Sarah) of Longview, WA. Two sisters Pamela (Doug) Boole of Pasco, WA; and Collice Watts of Vancouver, WA; two nieces and one nephew.
Memorial contributions are suggest to: Cal Farley’s Boys Rance – P.O. Box 1890 – Amarillo, TX 79174 www.CalFarley.org.
A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 11:00 AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church – 51555 SW Old Portland Road – Scappoose, OR 97056. A reception will follow.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.columbiafh.com
Obituary penned by,
Jerome William Watts
Loving Son.
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