James L. Watt

James L. Watt, 82, of Fort Collin, Colo. passed away June 4, 2013 at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins. He was born May 3, 1931 in Chicago, IL to Marie Odle Watt of Milford, IL and James O. Watt, formerly of Carnoustie, Scotland . They settled in Chicago and later moved to Griffith, IN where Jim graduated from Griffith High School. His first job out of high school was working for the Ford Motor Company; and soon, realizing he didn’t want to spend his life manufacturing cars, Jim began working to attain a CPA certification. Upon completion, James was hired as comptroller for Hammond Valve Co., where he would during this time be recognized by Indiana Jaycees as one of five “outstanding young men 1966”. Another winner of note that year was Richard Lugar, who later became an Indiana Senator. He went on the establish James L. Watt, INC, CPAS in Schererville, IN and as time went on he saw a void in the area of advising people planning for retirement, asset protection and growth management. Jim became a man with a mission to become knowledgeable and educated in this field and conscientiously worked to that end for his clients and family. In 1997 he sold his business and, with his wife Mickie, moved to Fort Collins. At a time of life when most men would be thinking about retirement he started another business; James L. Watt Personal Financial Advisors, Inc. For the past 15 years, he also wrote a financial column for the Fort Collins Coloradoan. Jim helped found and was active with the Highland, IN Jaycees and served as past president of the Hammond, IN Chamber of Commerce. He was a 42 year member of Rotary, receiving a Paul Harris Fellow award for his longtime support of Rotary Scholarships. He recently received recognition for being a 50-year member of AICPA as well as a longtime member of National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. He is preceded in death by his nine year-old son, Brian, and his wife, Terri who were both in a crash with an out of control drag-racing driver. Jim is survived by his wife, Mickie; his two daughters, Terri (Louie) Gomez of Houston , and Hopeann (Jim) Wargo of Crown Point IN; a son Brad (Melodee) Watt of Spokane; four grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be between 5 and 8PM at the Pruzin and Little Funeral Service, 811 East Franciscan Dr., Crown Point, IN. Funeral service 11:00 am at Pruzin and Little followed by interment at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Gary, IN. After the funeral, Jim’s family will hold a reception at the Patio in Merrillville. The family suggests that any memorial donations please be made to the Food Bank for Larimer County, Pulmonary Fibrosis Association or World Vision (Granddaughter Suzanne is on mission with WV in the Solomon Islands) c/o Goes Funeral Care, 3665 Canal Drive, Suite E, Fort Collins, CO 80524.

James L. Watt

May 3, 1931 - June 4, 2013