Jack Wayne Watts Sr., 82, passed away December 3, 2020, in Minot, N.D. 

Born at home, Jack was the first baby born in the New Year in New Franklin, Mo. on January 2, 1938. He married Betty (Overstreet) DeYoung of New Franklin in 1956. He started his JCPenney career in Boonville in 1957. In 1981, he married Donna Koenig in Dubuque, Iowa. Jack devoted 40 years to the JCPenney Company, relocating to North Dakota to manage the Minot store in 1987 until he retired in 1998. He had a great love for his pets and gardening in retirement.

Jack was preceded in death by his mother Viola Placial, his father Samuel Watts, and his sister, LaVaughn Miller. 

He is survived by his wife Donna, brother Roger, and his children Jack Jr. (spouse, LaVena Sherer), Debbie, Amanda, and Douglas. He is also survived by his treasured grandchildren: Nathan, Jordan, Evan, Morgan, Leonard, Marshall, and Jonathan; and his great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Karleigh, Livia, Palmer, Jasper, and Aunders. 

Due to the pandemic, no services will be held at this time. Thompson-Larson Funeral Home of Minot handled his cremation. A family celebration of life will be held in Missouri at a later date. 

To honor his memory in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.