H.R. No. 27
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of an esteemed community leader and
legendary rodeo showman drew to a close with the passing of
W. R. Watt Jr. of Fort Worth on November 9, 2022, at the age of 88;
and
WHEREAS, Born in Fort Worth on March 29, 1934, Bob Watt was
the son of W. R. Watt Sr. and the former Helen Wallace; he grew up
with the companionship of his brother, Tom, and from an early age,
he devoted considerable time to the family ranch in Throckmorton
County; after attending Arlington Heights High School and the Hill
School, he received a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry from
Oklahoma State University; he oversaw the cow-calf operation at
Watt Ranch for more than a half century, and he was a passionate
steward of the land and livestock; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Watt began working for the Fort Worth Stock Show
and Rodeo on a part-time basis in 1955, between college semesters;
elected to the board in 1958, he went on to serve for 64 years,
encompassing both a stint as secretary and a remarkable 33 years as
president; he was also very active in a number of other roles, from
assistant to the livestock and horse show managers to general
manager; upon his retirement in 2010, he was named president
emeritus; and
WHEREAS, A skilled consensus-builder and man of vision,
Mr. Watt was instrumental in the phenomenal growth of the rodeo;
during his presidency, it expanded from 10 to 23 days, drawing a
million visitors each year as Fort Worth's most-attended annual
public event; along the way, Mr. Watt helped create a national
model for public-private funding of public events facilities; he
worked with local officials to effect the transformation of the
Will Rogers Memorial Center, and in the 1980s, he oversaw
development of the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall and the
world-class Will Rogers Equestrian Center; in 1996, the Stock Show
celebrated its centennial with the opening of the Charlie and Kit
Moncrief Building and its W. R. Watt Arena; funded by $11 million
from Stock Show supporters, the arena was named for Mr. Watt's
father; Mr. Watt also led the effort to fund and build the ticket
office and visitor's center at the main entrance of the Will Rogers
Memorial Center; and
WHEREAS, The Will Rogers Memorial Center was pivotal in Fort
Worth's ascension as the country's premier location for livestock
and equestrian competitions; annual entries from livestock and
equestrian exhibitors eventually surpassed 30,000, and Mr. Watt
founded an International Committee and facility to welcome guests
from approximately 55 nations; his advocacy resulted in adoption of
a new official name, Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, to
better reflect the importance of ranchers and farmers in meeting
consumer demand; other innovations during his tenure included the
Best of Mexico Celebración and the Cowboys of Color Rodeo; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Watt shared his expertise with numerous
organizations; he served as director of the Professional Rodeo
Cowboys Association, director and president of the North American
Livestock Show and Rodeo Managers Association, director and
honorary vice president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle
Raisers Association, and director of the Texas Livestock Marketing
Association and Texas FFA Foundation; moreover, he gave extensively
of his time and talents to benefit many other charitable,
community, and professional organizations; his efforts were key in
the creation of the Citizens Support Group for the Fort Worth Police
Department Mounted Patrol, and he continued to support its
endeavors, such as the provision of horses and equipment and
construction of a state-of-the-art equine boarding and training
facility; in addition, he helped establish the Tarrant County
chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and he was a highly engaged
benefactor of the North Texas Chapter; he was a director of the Jane
and John Justin Foundation and First Methodist Church of Fort Worth
Foundation, as well as a member of the board of Harris Methodist
Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame,
Mr. Watt garnered numerous accolades for his contributions to the
livestock industry and to his community, among them the People of
Vision Award, Oklahoma State University Distinguished Alumni
Award, Texas Hereford Association Outstanding Service Award, and
Longhorn Council of the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen
Award; he and his father were joint recipients of the Charles
Goodnight Award, and in 2022, he and his family were honored with
the Bill King Award from the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo; for
all his success, he remained modest and kind; he freely expressed
his appreciation to the Stock Show staff, volunteers, and
supporters, and he was a mentor to many; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Watt enjoyed fishing, especially in the waters
off South Padre Island, and playing golf, particularly at River
Crest Country Club; above all, he cherished time spent with his
treasured family, whether pursuing their hobbies together, staying
at the ranch, or watching Stock Show rodeo performances from his box
at his beloved Will Rogers Coliseum; he shared a fulfilling
marriage with his wife, Jerri Anne Watt, and he took great pride in
his daughter, Susan, in his son, Trey, who preceded him in death,
and in his stepson, Mike; through the years, he was blessed with
seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; and
WHEREAS, Bob Watt made a tremendous positive impact in the
Fort Worth area and beyond, earning the lasting respect and
admiration of his fellow citizens, and although he is sadly missed
by all who were fortunate enough to know him, his achievements will
continue to resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of W. R. "Bob" Watt Jr.
and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his
wife, Jerri Anne Watt; to his daughter, Susan Watt; to his stepson,
Mike McCrary, and his wife, Erica; to his brother, Tom Watt, and his
wife, Betty; to his grandchildren, W. R. Watt IV and his wife, Mary
Margaret, Callie A. Watt, Weston Wills, Walton Wills, Watt Wills,
Davis McCrary, and Sienna McCrary; to his great-granddaughter,
Georgia Watt; and to his nephews, Mike Watt and his wife, Laura, and
Rob Watt and his wife, Peggy; pallbearers for the memorial service
include: Watt Wills, Walton Wills, Weston Wills, Davis McCrary,
Billy Bob Watt, and Reese Watt; honorary pallbearers include: Bill
Anderson, Brad Barnes, Ed Bass, Matt Brockman, Jim Gay, Charlie
Geren, Charles Lasater, Mike Sands, Bob Tallman, Roy Topham, and
J. R. Williams; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Bob Watt.
Geren
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 27 was unanimously adopted by a rising
vote of the House on March 8, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House