Ralph A Watt

1935 ~ 2018
Ralph, 82, graduated from this life on October 26, 2018 of natural causes. Ralph was born on December 2, 1935 in Thatcher, Utah to John Leland & Mary Louise Watt. Ralph was a lively child that kept his parents and siblings on their toes. He grew up in Layton, UT; and lived in Bountiful, UT; Amarillo, TX; and Orem, UT.
He met Marva, his high school sweetheart, in 1952 and they graduated together from Davis High School in 1954. He married Marva Arlene Draper on March 21, 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple. They have five children: Marinann (Rafael) Castillo, Sheralyn (Alan) Thompson, Marvin (Ruth) Watt, Brenda (Christen) Dye, and Shane (Elizabeth) Watt. Along with their “adopted” Japanese daughter Nana Watt Akune. They also have 24 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Ralph spent his younger days bucking hay and thinning beets. He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Northern States Mission (1956-1958). He served in the Air Force Reserves. To this day his children and grandchildren enjoy hearing his stories of life and his mission. He enjoyed deer hunting with his family, riding horses, was a BYU sports fan, and was a self-proclaimed fix-it-man. He wittily called himself a “Jack of All Trades…Master of None”.
One of his most cherished memories was serving as an usher for The Church’s General Conference for 12 years. He was also a draftsman and designer, using those talents, worked for Craftsman Kitchens in Salt Lake and then as a Manager which is what brought he and his family to Orem. He designed several of his family members’ homes. He was employed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for many years.
He is survived by: his wife, Marva; his daughters Marinann (Rafael), Sheralyn (Alan), and Brenda (Christen); his sons Marvin (Ruth), Shane (Elizabeth), “adopted” daughter Nana; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Leland and Mary Louise Watt; his in-laws Marvin & Minnie Draper; his brother Joel; and his sisters Diane and Marie.
A viewing will be held on Friday, November 2nd from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at The Legacy Village, 4146 North University Avenue, Provo. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 3rd at 12:00pm Noon at the Lakeview Stake Center, 400 West 1800 South, Orem. A viewing will be held prior to funeral services from 10:30 – 11:45am. Interment will follow at approximately 4:30pm at the Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful.
We would like to thank The Legacy Village of Provo and Encompass Hospice staffs for taking care our Mom and Dad during the final days of Ralph’s life.