Roll Call Tribute

Published in Houston Chronicle on Nov. 17, 2017

Ralph Watts(1921 - 2017)
Ralph Lee Watts
1921-2017
Ralph Lee Watts went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 9, 2017. He was 96 years of age.
Ralph was born in Winchester, Kentucky on March 5, 1921 and was a graduate of Winchester High School. After reading an article by Dale Carnegie about Texas A&M, he would decide to attend this university in Texas, a decision that would change his life. His mother sold her dining room suite for $200, which he tucked in his shoe, and hitchhiked to College Station. Ralph studied Petroleum Engineering until his class was called to active service in World War II. He obtained the rank of Captain in the Army's 361st Engineer Special Service Regiment, serving in both France and Japan.
Upon graduation from Texas A&M, Ralph went to work for the Duriron Company in New York City, and then in Philadelphia, where he later met the love of his life, Carolyn Chesley. Ralph founded the Watts Company, a sales engineering firm in Houston, in 1954 which he operated until 1996, retiring at the age of 75.
Ralph always had a spiritual interest, but he did not have peace in his heart until he accepted Jesus Christ into his life. That peace came in 1948 in New York City when he met a group of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship students. After one of the meetings, he visited with a speaker who suggested some passages in the Bible to read. Ralph went home that night and asked God to forgive him of his sins and invited Jesus to become Lord of his life. For the remainder of his life, Ralph delighted in telling how he came to a personal relationship with Jesus, especially after reading John 1:12, always wanting everyone to understand the good news of the gospel.
Ralph joyfully served as an elder in his church, and was on the Board of Directors for Forest Glen Camp, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Men for Missions. He was also actively involved with Christian Business Men's Committee and was a longtime member of BridgePoint Bible Church.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 60 years, Carolyn Chesley Watts, son Stephen, daughter, Rebecca Dalton and husband Rett, daughter Elizabeth Vaughn and husband Robert, and daughter Bethany Blomdahl and husband Alan. He was "Big Daddy" to his nine grandchildren: Caroline Vaughn Jarosz and husband Matt, Robert Vaughn and fiancé Shelbie Basinger, Allison Vaughn, Price Dalton, Jed Dalton, Lars Blomdahl, Seth Blomdahl, Isabelle Blomdahl and William Blomdahl. He has joined his parents, Audrey and Walter Watts, sister, Maxine Brumback and husband Jimmy, and brother-in-law, Ellsworth Harbett, in heaven. Ralph is also survived by his loving sister, Woodie Harbett.
Services include a private burial at Houston National Cemetery, with military honors, followed by a memorial service and celebration of his life at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, November 20, 2017, in the Chapel at Houston's First Baptist Church, 7401 Katy Freeway, 77024.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to BridgePoint Bible Church Harvey Relief Fund, PO Box 10938, Houston, TX 77206, or to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, PO Box 7895, Madison, WI, 53707-7895 (attn: Donation Services), or to the .






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