In losing Richard Watts our parish has given up one of its most outstanding sons. His obituary, while beautifully written, did not mention that while he was an undergraduate at Centenary College, he was granted membership in Phi Beta Kappa, America’s oldest and by far most prestigious academic society. Its founding at William and Mary College dates back to the very same year our Declaration of Independence was signed, and you do not get nominated just because you are a “big man on campus”. Membership is the stuff that dreams are made on, and you have to be an academic marvel.
My recollection is that Richard’s father, France Watts, Jr., died in May of 1971, which would have been when Richard was just a freshman at LSU Law School, and the Watts family selected him as their spokesman for offering the lay eulogy.
Franklinton Police Chief Caruth Miller had the church blocked off to restrain traffic, and as we waited for the procession to commence, Judge A.J. Jones remarked that the content and excellence of this young lad’s talk had been so perfect that its effect had been almost eerie or mystical.
Richard’s maternal grandfather, old Mr. Magee Ott, whose law practice began the 103-year span mentioned in the obituary, was a Will Rogers type, with homespun humor, and while slightly rough around the edges as pioneers often were, was thought of as a wonderful character.
Richard’s father, France Jr., who had experienced his childhood in Bogalusa and then had graduated from the Old Miss Law School and had practiced briefly in Mississippi, was an energetic and quick-thinking man. Judge Buddy Crain used to say that France knew just when to stop questioning a witness. And Richard carried the torch quite capably, both as a lawyer and a gentleman. (It’s possible to be both, believe it or not.)
Upon my expiration if I’m so fortunate as to gain admission to that Land Beyond the River, I’ll meet my old friend once more and we’ll smile once again at the follies of human beings (ourselves included).
