Larry W. Watts

Laurence Wade “Larry” Watts passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025, at age 83, surrounded by family. He held on to life with strength and perseverance admired by friends, colleagues, and loved ones. His faith grounded his sense of fairness and justice—values he championed as a civil rights lawyer. And if he had his way, he would be playing golf tomorrow.

Larry graduated from Baylor Law School in 1966, a year after marrying his childhood friend Vicki (Pomorski) Watts. He began his 58-year career in Houston representing Texas teachers. He joined the NAACP in the 1960s, a rare step at the time, working with legislators, lawyers, and activists against racial discrimination. Judge William Wayne Justice mentored him, and he collaborated with Rep. Barbara Jordan. He often drove rural Texas late into the night with Vicki—and later his sons—to school board meetings, rallies, and hearings. A formidable trial lawyer, he founded his own Houston firm, employing young lawyers from South Texas College of Law, Texas Southern University, and the University of Houston.

Born in Houston in 1941, Larry grew up in the Heights, where his father owned a paint and hardware store. His family’s hometown was Dodge, TX, where he spent many weekends with relatives and his horse, Trigger. He graduated from Reagan High School (now Heights High School) in 1959, playing on the school golf team, and from Baylor University in 1963 with an English degree before reconnecting with Vicki, the love of his life. They settled in the Rice University area in the early 1970s, raising three sons. In 1983 they moved to Courtlandt Place near downtown Houston, and in 1989 to Missouri City, where Larry could keep horses and Vicki could develop her art. They later returned to the Rice area near family and longtime friends.

Larry loved people and storytelling. He attended, with Vicki and his sons, Rice Temple Baptist and South Main Baptist churches and knew scripture thoroughly. His faith gave him hope, inspiration, and a steady positive outlook. His life motto came from scripture: “Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly.” He played piano and accordion and had a rich baritone voice. Proud of his English and Scottish heritage, he drew creative inspiration from musicals, theater, and literature. He studied Washington and Jefferson and lived vicariously through the lives of his three sons. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wade and Jewell Watts. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Vicki; his son Andy, spouse Amy, and their children Samuel and Benjamin; his son Sid, spouse Sarah, and their children Annie and Gabe; and his son Thomas, spouse Nichole, and their children Harrison, Norah, and Piper.

A Memorial Service will be held on November 29, 2025, at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale St, Houston, TX 77023, beginning at 11 a.m. with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Larry’s name to the charity of your choice.