“I’m sure this disease has already made everyone see life differently, and I hope that is part of the reason for my diagnosis. Remember to live your life to the fullest, love with all your heart, reach out to others when you think you should and enjoy each day as if it is your last.” – JR Watts, September, 2020
JR embraced life with a spirit of adventure and a passion for living it to the fullest. In high school, he was active in both football and soccer. He continued to lead and inspire others at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where he was selected for the President’s Leadership Class. During his time at NSU, he was deeply involved in campus life through Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, Rookie Bridge Camp, the NSU Ambassador program, and various other student activities. He enjoyed volunteering as a firefighter while in college. He pursued a degree in petroleum engineering at the University of Tulsa, graduating in 2008, and later earned his MBA from the University of Arkansas. JR built a successful career in the oil and gas industry, working for many years until his diagnosis with ALS led to his retirement in 2020.
In his adult life, JR continued to be physically active and health conscious, enjoying biking, running, hiking, cross fit, weight lifting, and jiu-jitsu. JR was married in April 2016. He welcomed his first son in 2017, followed by the birth of his twin sons in 2019. A few months after the twin’s birth, he began to notice a gradual loss of strength and muscle tone. Despite continuing his strength training he saw no improvement. Just as he began to accept that something more serious might be affecting his health, the Covid -19 pandemic led to widespread medical office closures. In May, 2020, when clinics reopened, JR was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) at the age of 35.
JR will always be remembered for his warm, infectious smile. He refused to let ALS define him, and never complained, despite all that the disease took from him. Throughout his battle, he displayed unwavering positivity and incredible mental strength, inspiring everyone around him. JR ‘s greatest pride were his three sons, Camden, Colton, and Cooper and he strived every day to be a strong example for them in the face of adversity.
In November, 2023, he shared a heartfelt request – to help as many people as possible. Just two days later, at the age of 39, JR lost his courageous battle with ALS. From his final wish, the JR Watts Foundation was born.
