Jed Watters died with his family by his side on July 13th after a long illness. He was born in Lockport, New York, the son of Lonel and Ruth (McFadden) Watters. He grew up in Georgia and Florida, the oldest in a lively household of four brothers. Jed graduated from Duncan Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach before attending Georgia Tech for several years. He completed his undergraduate work at Florida Presbyterian (Eckerd) College in St. Petersburg, FL. Jed headed north to the history department at Clark University in pursuit of a PhD where he met his wife of 52 years, Sally (Fleming) Watters. His graduate studies were interrupted when, facing being drafted into the Army, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in Vietnam where he had command of several river patrol boats on the Bassac River in the Mekong Delta. He also served aboard the USS Georgetown, a “technical research” ship that did work for the National Security Agency. After leaving active duty, he remained in the US Navy Reserve for over twenty years, retiring as a commander. While in the Reserves, he most enjoyed the many years he spent working as an analyst with the VTU group at the Navy War College in Newport, R.I.
After his tour of active duty with the Navy, Jed returned to complete his PhD at Clark University in Worcester. He then spent many years as a history professor, primarily at Assumption University, where he helped develop the Peace Studies program. He also taught courses in the Humanities Department at WPI. He was a gifted storyteller, which added to his talent as an engaging teacher who was able to challenge his students to develop critical thinking skills. He frequently stated that teaching students how to think, rather than what to think, was the most important job of any teacher.
Jed and Sally raised their two daughters, Rebecca and Amanda, in Southborough where they have lived for 48 years. Jed loved photography, kayaking, hiking, camping, and travel. He was an avid railroad fan and had an extensive model railroad. Traveling with Jed meant stopping at many railroad stations along the way, with additional detours to historically important battlefields and any scenic nature sites. He was a member of Pilgrim Congregational Church in Southborough and enthusiastically participated in the Pilgrim Men’s Club Habitat for Humanity projects. As a member of the Southborough Dull Men’s Club, he helped keep things from becoming too dull. Jed was predeceased by his parents, Lon and Ruth Watters and his brothers Drake and Michael. He is survived by his brother Kenneth of St. Petersburg, FL. He is also survived by his wife Sally, his daughter Rebecca of Bozeman, MT, his daughter Amanda, his son-in-law Michael McGrane, and his granddaughter Adina of Northfield, VT.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Jed on Saturday, August 17th at 1 PM at Pilgrim Church, 15 Common Street, Southborough, MA
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pilgrim Congregational Church, PO Box 281, Southborough, MA 01772 or the Friends of the Southborough Council on Aging, 9 Cordaville Rd., Southborough, MA 01772.
(Photo and Obituary via Morris-Johnston Funeral Home)
