George C. Watts, Jr., 89, died Monday, June 17 following an extended illness in San Mateo.

He was born in Kemmerer, Wyo. with his father being a sheep rancher. The family moved to Oakdale, where he grew up and graduated from Oakdale High School in 1942.

In November of 1944 he joined the Navy as a pilot and rose to the rank of LCDR before retiring in June 1970.

With his wife Charlotte, who was also from Oakdale, they lived in Florida, Morocco, Italy, Virginia, Maryland and Hawaii before retiring in San Diego. After retiring from the Navy, he was a deputy sheriff for San Diego County.

Mr. Watts enjoyed teaching flying and loved deep sea fishing any time he could.

After the death of his wife Charlotte in September 2007, he moved to San Mateo in order to be closer to family and nearer to family and friends in Oakdale.

The family thanks the outstanding support given by the VA Palo Alto Home Based Health Care team and the care and concern extended by his caregivers at TLC Homecare III of San Mateo.

He is survived by his children, Charla (Ron) Meyer, Linda (George) Awana and Craig Watts; grandchildren, Leslie (Tim), Brian (Tiffany), Christian (Vicki), Shannon, George, Natalee (Chris) and Lindsey; and great-grandchildren, Megan, Dax, Flint and Mason.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte J. Watts; parents, George Watts Sr. and Mary Kochevar Watts Haslam; and half-sisters, Dora, Wanda and Rose.

At his request there will be no services. His cremated remains will be taken to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego to join those of his wife.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

July 3, 2013