Clarence Anderson Watts, 89

Born on Nov. 11, 1927 to Signe Evelyn (Anderson) Watts and Cary Porter Watts in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Clarence was the second child of seven. The family spent their early years following construction jobs in several states, finally purchasing land in the Flathead Valley in 1942.

Clarence passed away in Kalispell on Dec. 16, 2016.

Clarence had fond memories of Miles City, where he got his first horse, a Spanish pony, and spent time around the stockyards watching the cowboys work. While father Cary worked on the construction of the dam at Fort Peck, the family stayed in Glasgow where the last of Clarence’s six siblings was born. Clarence spent the time working on local ranches where he learned many skills relating to animal husbandry and even spent time rounding up wild horses on the eastern Montana plains. He later followed his father into the construction business as an oiler and then worked as a crane and shovel operator, including time digging missile silo sites and dam foundations all over the state of Montana.

The family moved to the Flathead Valley in 1942, purchasing what would become the family farm north of Lake Blaine for an annual payment of $368. Clarence stepped up to be the surrogate “man of the house” while his father traveled to find work, helping his mother run the farm while attending Deer Park School nearby. Even with the extra responsibilities, Clarence went on to graduate from Flathead County High School in 1947.

After several years continuing work on the family farm, Clarence joined the Army in 1950 during the Korean War. He attained the rank of Corporal and served with the 10th Mountain Division as an M.P. in Germany and was able to visit two of his brothers who were also serving in Europe at the time. Upon his release from active duty in 1952, he returned to the Flathead Valley, became a lifelong member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, and continued running cranes, draglines and shovels, helping to harness Montana’s water resources at Hungry Horse, Cochran, Clark Canyon, and Libby dams. In 1970 he turned to the Iron Workers Union for steady work at the aluminum plant in Columbia Falls as a mechanic and welder so he could stay close enough to begin buying the family farm from his mother after his father’s death. After 20 years at the plant, he retired to full-time farming and cattle ranching at age 65 in 1992.

Clarence always held a strong love and responsibility to his family and to the land. Many people, friends and family alike, will always remember Clarence for his assistance and advice, often focused on safety and conservation. That is why it was no surprise when he turned to the Montana Land Reliance to maintain his love in perpetuity through a conservation easement on the family farm.

Clarence is survived by his sisters Georgia Doane of Washington, Signa Howe of Wyoming, Verna Wilson of Washington and predeceased by his brothers Clifford, Richard and James Watts.

Clarence Anderson Watts will be missed by family and friends, all who are better for having known him.

Graveside services to be held at 1 p.m. March 26 at the Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Celebration of life to follow at the Eagles Club, 37 First St. W., Kalispell.