James McCaffrey Watts

MSgt James “Jim” McCaffrey Watts began a life-long connection to the US military being born at Chincoteague Naval Air Station, in Chincoteague, Virginia on February 7, 1957. Jim would later in life join the US Air Force where he would serve with love, honor, and pride for God and country for 22 years until he retired and then joined Tinker AFB Civil Service and serve as a Crew Chief for 10 years. Jim was then forced through impacting disabilities to retire. Although Jim retired from formal service, he never stopped serving in his heart and in his love and support for his band of brothers and sisters.

Jim grew up in the Oakdale Community of Charlotte, NC, attended West Mecklenburg High School, and had a love for broadcasting and music that led him to graduate from Carolina School of Broadcasting, and to become a DJ while stationed in Mildenhall, England and as a sports announcer and radio programming producer while stationed at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma.

Jim was an avid reader and studier of the Bible and US and military history. He loved baseball from little league to cheering on the Atlanta Braves throughout his life. As PTSD limited his public life, Jim began a social media presence seeking out friends and family to connect, support, encourage, and share memories to bring a new aspect to his life. Jim had always loved family, friends, jokes, humor, and had a booming voice that echoed through the airwaves, and he brought that part of himself back through his posts and messages.

Jim was preceded in death by his father USAF Retired SMSgt John Henry Watts, his paternal grandparents Henry and Bertha Watts, maternal grandparents Frank George McCaffrey, Pearlie McCaffrey Stinson, and Curtis Stinson.

Jim is survived by his mother, Betty McCaffrey Watts, his sister Janet Watts, his extended family brother Bob Marcik and wife Jennifer, niece Ashley Marcik Fisher and husband James, nephew Kyle Marcik and wife Brooklyn, great-nephews and nieces Tayven Fisher, Daxton Fisher, Teaghen Fisher, and Lily-Anne Marcik. Sister Pam Sams and husband Kirk. Along with Aunts, Uncles, and cousins whom he loved dearly.

Jim is survived by and now soaring once again with his beloved USAF Beale Bandits, USAF Crew Chiefs, and his many USAF band of brothers and sisters.

Jim will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.