Our Voice: This unselfish Tri-Citian’s death is a huge loss for community

With the passing of James Watts, the Tri-Cities has lost an often under-appreciated member of this community. If ever there was a Tri-Citian of the Year who never was awarded that honor, Jim had to be a contender.

And not just for his work in propping up the Tri-City economy when it needed it the most.

Jim, 82, was a victim of a number of ailments that plagued him for years. But he rarely complained. Instead, he drove himself to become an involved father, a savvy investor, a knowledgeable entrepreneur, a wise property developer, an accomplished artist, a multi-book author and a man who gave his time unselfishly to many causes that included the Tri-City Cancer Center, United Way, Washington State University Tri-Cities, Columbia Basin College (which named him its Outstanding Alumnus of the Year) and many state advisory boards.

He helped spearhead the development of the Hanford Reach National Monument management plan and then took a leading role raising what has been estimated to be millions of dollars to build what he reluctantly admitted had to be a scaled down Hanford Reach Interpretive Center.

It was Jim’s work as labor’s representative around many a negotiating table that was directly or indirectly responsible for the economic health of many of today’s Tri-Citians.

Jim did more than just argue and convince the government that, during the downturn of the late 1990s, its pension reserves were so over funded that it could provide financial incentives for older workers to retire, therefore keeping the jobs of younger, family-raising workers.

He also persuaded companies that were threatening to move their Hanford-related jobs out of the area to stay here. One estimate was that, overall, he saved 750 to 900 jobs.

But perhaps Jim’s major asset to the area was his political connections with such powers as Sen. Warren Magnuson and Sen. Henry Jackson and, as the area became more conservative, keeping that pipeline open to today’s Washington senators, Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray.

He gave money, raised money and hosted parties — and not just for Democrats. His home on the Yakima River hosted gatherings for several Republicans, such as his friend and business associate, former Rep. Sid Morrison.

He was one of a few labor leaders so trusted by the more corporately heavy Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) that it actually made him the chairman of its Hanford committee

Jim overcame many obstacles. Not the least of which was growing up in the Tri-Cities as a member of a band of Watts brothers who someone said “raised hell and took no prisoners.” He was kicked out of one high school for riding a motorcycle down a hallway and another for throwing a typewriter out of a window.

But that was before he was tamed by Sharon Templeman, a former Columbia High homecoming queen. It ended up a marriage made in heaven that lasted almost 61 years.

Jim was a great storyteller. And no matter how many times you had heard the story, and interrupted to tell him you had heard the story, Jim had to finish it — eventually. He also was known as the golfer who could start a joke on the first tee and not get to the punch line by the fifth green.

Those close to him know that Jim’s endearing legacy will not be economic development work, or his political connections. It will be his love of, and devotion to, his family. They were his pride and joy. They will miss him. As will all who knew him.

The Tri-Cities was an area where Jim rampaged, matured, and loved. It is an area that owes him a debt of gratitude that, unfortunately, only death has helped adequately voice. Jim’s funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Three Rivers Convention Center.

This story was originally published May 1, 2018 at 1:48 PM with the headline "Our Voice: This unselfish Tri-Citian’s death is a huge loss for community."