Gale Edward Watts, long-time resident of the Nickletown neighborhood northwest of Yates Center, Kansas, passed away late Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at The Meadows assisted living center in Burlington, Kansas, where he had made his home since May of 2018. He was 93 years old.

Gale was born January 26, 1930, on the family farmstead in the Rose community southeast of Yates Center. He was one of the four children of Robert L. and Rachel (Jackson) Watts. He was raised on the farm and graduated from Yates Center High School in 1948. He then attended Kansas State University for two years. On September 26, 1951, he joined the U.S. Army. He served overseas for more than a year during the Korean War and upon his discharge on August 15, 1953, he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with Two Bronze Service Stars and the United Nations Service Medal with Two Oversea Bars. He then returned home where he immediately joined the workforce, was married, and started a family.

On May 23, 1954, he and Mary Ann Edwards were married at the Turkey Creek United Methodist Church northwest of Yates Center. They became the parents of three children.

Gale was an Animal Health Technician in the Animal Disease Eradication Division of the United States Department of Agriculture for 33 years until his retirement in 1986. Following his retirement he helped his brother-in-law, Don Edwards, and several others with farm work. He had a special interest in Bluebirds, building many bird houses and tracking their numbers. He raised a large garden and always shared with his friends and neighbors. He was a sports fan and enjoyed following the Kansas State University Wildcats, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Gale was a longtime active and devoted member of the Turkey Creek United Methodist Church, always doing whatever he could for his church and his church family.

His wife, Mary Ann, suffered a debilitating stroke in January of 2011 and became a resident of Yates Center Health and Rehab. Gale tediously cared for her on a daily basis until her death on January 5, 2017. He was also preceded in death by a brother, James Robert Watts.

He is survived by his children,, Rex Edward Watts and wife Christy of Strong City, KS, Pamela Johnson and husband Stephen of Topeka, KS, and Patricia Beyer and husband Philip of Burlington, KS; 7 grandchildren, Jessica Murphy (Cameron), Kyle Beyer (Andrea), Megan Knutzen (Justin), Joseph Beyer (Megan), Joseph Heathman (Shelby), Trenton Heathman, (Heather), and Brylee Fischer (Luke); 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, Lyle Watts, Yates Center; a sister Mary Pringle, Yates Center; a number of nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held 10:30 A.M. Thursday, November 2, 2023, at Campbell Funereal Home in Yates Center, KS. Burial will follow at Askren Cemetery northwest of Yates Center.

The family will meet with friends from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. Wednesday at Campbell Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Meadows, Turkey Creek United Methodist Church, or Gideons International and may be sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home, PO Box 188, Yates Center, KS 66783.