Arnold Joseph Watts' Obituary
Arnold Joseph Watts, age 91, a long-time resident of the Spring Hill Florida area, died after a 3-week illness on Friday the 5th of May at the Anne and Donald McGraw Hospice Center For Caring in Jacksonville, Florida. “Sparky”, as he was affectionately known to his family and friends, is survived by his two sons Gregory and Jeffrey and their wives Laura and Peggy [respectively], his grandchildren Meaghan [and her husband Jon], Jonathan and Christopher, and his beautiful great grandchildren Charley, Evie and Jack.
Sparky, a proud World War II Veteran and Texas Free Mason, was originally from Brooklyn, New York and re-located to Spring Hill with his wife Doris after his retirement in 1981. For many years, Sparky and Doris were active and proud members of Spring Hill’s Lions Club organization making new friends and always volunteering whenever they could lend a helping hand. The doctors who cared for him in his final battle, would always comment that he had the “heart of a lion”. Something that his family, friends and anyone that ever met him, already knew. An active poet from a very young age, Sparky wrote over a thousand poems and published three books of poetry which he lovingly shared with those closest to him. Near the end, it gave him a great deal of comfort to give a book of his poetry to the nurses and aids who willingly catered to his every need.
Sparky lived his life guided by a strong moral compass which was unwavering in its humanity and steeped in all that is good in this world. A fierce competitor, true patriot and loving family man, he will be missed by all that have had the privilege and honor to have known him.
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday May 26th at 2:30pm at the chapel in Grace Memorial Gardens located at 16931 U.S. Highway 19 North Hudson, FL 34667
The family has asked in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Dad’s name to the Sulzbacher Center 611 East Adams Street Jacksonville, Fl 32202. [ http://www.sulzbachercenter.org/ ]
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