Dr. James Michael Watts
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Dr. James (Jim) Michael Watts passed away in Greensboro, NC on Thursday, April 15th, 2021 at the age of 77. Jim was born in Lexington, KY in 1944 to the late William Stanley and Catherine Francis Huston Watts and was one of five children. Starting at the age of 11, Jim began work sanding floors with his dad and brother and enjoyed many happy times playing in Woodland Park with his friends and family. Jim played football and was a founding member of the Henry Clay High School golf team graduating from there in 1962. Jim went on to earn a PhD in Economics from the University of Kentucky and was part of the first generation to study computer programming. He also worked at the Spindletop Research Center in Lexington during the early 1970's. In 1975, Jim relocated with this wife and children to Greensboro, NC to teach Economics and Computer Programming at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and was known to be a wonderful professor. In 1980, he left UNCG and spent the rest of his life in Greensboro working in the field of computer programming at various companies including Ciba-Geigy, American Express, and Bank of America although he did return to UNCG for a two-year period in the 1990's to teach. Jim's passion was found in his love of woodworking where he enjoyed making many treasured heirlooms, but his true love was his family of whom he would share stories about to anyone who would listen. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Linda Kay Watts Eichelberger, and brother Stephen Ray Watts. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Shirley Jean (Jeanie) Wuerth Watts of Greensboro NC and by his four children Karen Kilduff (Jeff), James Michael Watts Jr. (Carrie), Jason Watts (Dawn), and Melanie Fales (Ryan), and twelve grandchildren; Shelby, Cooper, Walker, Madeline, James Michael III, Nathan, Matthew, Molly, Scarlett, Patrick, Raven, and Abigail all of whom live in NC. He is also survived by his brothers, William Stanley Watts and Larry Nelson Watts as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was known as a kind, joyful man who was warm and welcoming to everyone and was much loved by all who knew him. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 23rd from 5-7pm at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home on 463 E Main St. in Lexington, KY with a graveside ceremony to follow on Saturday, April 24th at Lexington Cemetery on 833 W Main St at 11 am.