James Watters ’71

James A. Watters, age 69, of Friesland, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, January 1, 2018, at his home in Friesland. Jim was born on October 1, 1948, to Joseph and Kathryn (DeYoung) Watters. Jim graduated from Cambria-Friesland High School as valedictorian of his class in 1966. He was also a graduate of Hope College in Holland, MI. He was employed at several local businesses and also helped his dad farm on the family farm. He was a lifelong member of the First Reformed Church, Friesland. Jim loved to read the Bible and prayed faithfully for his family and friends. The greatest joys in his life were his Lord and Savior, his family and his cats. His kind and tender heart was evident in the many years that he faithfully cared for his beloved father and mother in their elderly years. His love for his family and disadvantaged animals, kindness, patience and endurance through his many medical issues were an inspiration and wonderful example to his family. Jim will be sadly missed by his siblings, Denise (Jerry) Vant Hoff of Friesland, Steven (Kristi) Watters of Stevensville, MT, and Mary Watters of Hudson, WI, his nieces and nephews whom he loved as if they were his own children, Darrin Vant Hoff, Jodi Burmania, Logan (Joshua) Perkins, and Connor Knobel, and his great nephew and niece, Carson and Molly Burmania and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Kathryn Watters and a nephew, Brennan Watters.