Dr. Jasper Newton Watts, II.

2 Timothy 4: 7-8

"I have fought a good fight I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all of them also that love His appearing."

Jasper Newton Watts, II., DDS , was the second of five children born to the late Jasper and Catherine (Moore) Watts on January 22, 1950, in Detroit, Michigan.

Jasper, who was fondly called "Jay" by family and friends received his early education through the Detroit Public School system.  Upon graduation from Cass Technical High School, he entered Wayne State University, graduating with a B.A. in Economics.  He then entered the University of Michigan School of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and completed his fellowship at the Academy of General Dentistry.

After graduating from dental school, Jay worked alongside a fellow U of M graduate in Detroit, Michigan prior to entering the military.  While serving as a Captain in the Dental Corps, Jay's passion for history was reignited.  His tour of duty at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey provided him access to many historical sites along the East Coast.  While at McGuire, he found a love for the area and settled in Hampton, Virginia in 1979, joining the dental practice of Drs. Clark & Price, and eventually opening his solo practice Watts Family Dentistry.

Following the family tradition that dates back over one hundred years to Camden Academy Presbyterian Church in Wilcox County Alabama, he joined Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church in Newport News, Virginia, where he served as an Elder, Trustee, member of Worship Life Committee, Stewardship and Commitment, Chair of the Nominating Committee, and liaison to the Boy Scouts of America for Troop and Pack 67.

He was an active member of the American Dental Association, the National Dental Association, the Norman Lassiter Dental Society, the Old Dominion Dental Society (ODDS) where he served as Treasurer since 1980.  He designed the ODDS logo that the Society used for over 30 years.  Additionally, he served as historian of the Society for 15 years.  He was the recipient of the ODDS President's Award, Dentist of the Year Award, and Top Dentist in 2022.  Jay has published numerous articles on the history of dentistry, dental office management, and African American history.  He was working on a book tracing the contributions of African American dentists in the state of Virginia.

Jay cultivated many friendships in his childhood through his neighborhood and local Boy Scout Troop.  He was extremely proud of his Boy Scout affiliation and earned the rank of Eagle Scout with his lifelong friends of more than 60 years.  He, along with eight others, were the first African Americans to earn the rank of Eagle Scout in the city of Detroit.

Jay had a vast number of interests and skills. In the mid-1970s, with the release of the TV miniseries Roots, Jay discovered a newfound love for genealogy.  He spent decades researching, interviewing relatives, and documenting his family history that included the development of a family tree that went as far back as his African ancestors.  Jay loved music and music history. Growing up in Detroit at the height of the Motown era, Jay embraced and loved all things Motown!  He was a Temptations fan and toyed with the idea of naming his only son David Ruffin (but Pam would not have it).  Jay loved sports and could recite many statistics about the University of Michigan and the history of the Detroit Tigers.  He loved art so much that he referenced it in the advertisement of his dental practice, "Caring dentistry … with the artist's touch."  He had a strong interest in all art forms.  As a teen he dabbled in woodwork and handcrafted a crossing paddle with intricate designs representing his fraternity.  He loved photography as well as sculpting one-of-a-kind sculptures representing African American lifestyles.  He displayed many of his pieces around his dental office and entered them in local exhibitions such as the Hampton Arts Commission, Newsome House, and Moton Theater art shows.  He loved writing and journaled daily. With the help of family members, he collected family stories and data, for an eventual publication.

Jay was a 50-year member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Lifetime Member of the NAACP, Lifetime member of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the African American Historical Genealogy Society, the Virginia Society for Black Family Research, 100 Black Men of America, Century Investment Club, Dimensions III Sculpture Association, and the Addison Gayle Reading Group.  In 2000, he was appointed by the Virginia House of Delegates to the State Health Benefits Advisory Council, and in 2001, he was appointed by the Virginia House of Delegates to serve a 3-year term on the Virginia Council on Human Resources.

Jay departed this life on October 13, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his father, Jasper N. Watts, mother, Catherine Moore Watts, and sisters, Dr. Ruth Annette Watts, and Dr. Gladiola Watts Dale.

He leaves to cherish his memories: wife, Pamelia Sports Watts, daughters: Morgan Watts, Catherine Wyatt (Joseph), son Matthew (fiancé Camille Ritter), three sisters; Adrienne C. Watts, Esq., Nancy Watts, Joye Watts Mosley (Darren), nephews, nieces, and a host of cousins and lifelong friends.

The family will receive guest on Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 3:00p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va. 23607. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 23, 2023 at Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church 830-25th Street, Newport News, VA.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church, 830-25th Street, Newport News, Va. 23607.