Galen Fred Watts

Galen Fred Watts RACINE – Galen Fred Watts, 89, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-All Saints. Galen was born at 2 a.m. on November 3, 1925 in Havensville, Kansas to Fred and Rosa May (nee: Clements) Watts. He worked on the family farm until he left for Kansas State College in the fall of 1947. On January 27, 1951, between his last two semesters of study, he wed his longtime love, Geneva Manuel. She preceded him in death on May 14, 2012. With the assistance of the Army ROTC program he graduated in May 1951 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering and spent two years in the army, serving in Korea for approximately a year. Then he went to work for the Massey Ferguson (tractor) Company in Kansas City for three years. After a brief stint with the Ford Tractor Company in Dearborn, Michigan he moved his wife and three children to Racine, where he was employed by J I Case Company from November 1957 until his retirement in August 1989. Being a farm boy at heart he always enjoyed gardening and raised both vegetables and flowers outdoors and numerous houseplants indoors. He was a wonderful father to his four children, participating in Boy Scouts, Indian Guides and 4-H Club projects. He also volunteered to be the leader of the Boy Scout Explorer Post that was sponsored by the J I Case Co. He and his wife lovingly cared for more than 30 foster children between 1965 and 1987. Galen was a staunch supporter of the Franksville United Methodist Church for almost 50 years. Surviving are his children, Kathleen Slovachek of Racine, Josef (Donna) Watts of So. Burlington, VT, Galen Andrew Watts of Marengo, IL and Jonathan (Monica) Watts of Folsom, CA; grandchildren, Tom Slovachek of Racine, Peter Watts of Brooklyn, NY, Paul Watts of Boston, MA, Michelle (Christopher) Scott of Folsom, CA, Melinda (Jonathan) Harrison of Los Angeles, CA and Matthew (Christine) Vaggione of Seattle, WA, great-granddaughter, Abigail Scott, sister, Hope (Chet) Bare of Raytown, MO and sisters-in-law, Greta Watts of Dallas, TX and Marjorie Venneberg of Onaga, KS. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Galen was preceded in death by his wife, sister, Faith Young; brothers, Rex and Evan Watts; son-in-law, William Slovachek and granddaughter, Kristina Slovachek. A memorial service will be held at Franksville United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 11 a.m. Galen will be laid to rest at West Lawn Memorial Park in a private service. There will be a time for family and friends to meet at the church on Saturday before services from 10 a.m. until time of service. Memorials to American Parkinson Disease Assoc., Parkinson Plaza, 135 Parkinson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10305 have been suggested.

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Galen Fred Watts

November 3, 1925 - January 22, 2015