The family says there would have been no Watters Garden Center without their founding father Harold Watters.
Harold was born in Wellington, Ohio, to doting parents Richard and Edna Watters, on March 17, 1937. Reportedy, his mother often said, “Harold has ‘ants in his pants,’ describing the amount of energy he had and always being in motion. He grew up playing the saxophone, hunting and fishing and playing ball. He did landscaping for the neighbors so he could buy his first car.
He took his girlfriend, Lorna England, to the Wellington High School Prom. The two married a year after they graduated. The high school sweethearts celebrated 65 years of marriage together.
Arizona had been a state just 46 years when Harold and Lorna packed up the station wagon and moved here. Yavapai County was filled with open rangeland and cattle then, and only 12,000 residents lived in Prescott. After 60 years of community service, Harold Leroy Watters was considered a Prescottonian through and through.
The family says there would have been no Watters Garden Center without their founding father Harold Watters. In 1962, he expanded his landscaping company to include a plant nursery. The business was born near the old bowling alley on Plaza Drive in Prescott. The garden center grew as Harold’s family grew, including a pet store and flower shop. Lorna and the couple’s four daughters all pitched in to help. Harold’s love of plants and beautifying his community was integral in all aspects of his life, including family vacations spent touring gardens and nurseries. Harold’s saying to live by: “Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord Himself and not merely for others,” Colossians 3:23.
By 1983, the garden center needed room to grow, so Harold moved it to its current location on Iron Springs Road. After 40 years, he decided to retire and passed the torch in 2002 to his youngest daughter, Lisa Watters-Lain, and her husband, Ken.
“If you are going to give, give them your time and expertise as well as your money,” Harold had said. He served on the Prescott Frontier Rotary, YRMC Hospital, Prescott Chamber of Commerce and Arizona Nursery Association boards, to name only a few organizations. He thoughtfully made his community a better place to live spiritually, mentally and physically. His heart was always drawn downtown across from the Prescott courthouse to his church, Solid Rock Christian Fellowship. He taught in-depth bible studies as deacon and shared scripture at the fellowship’s soup kitchen for years.
Harold’s passion for plants never faded. Even after 20 years of retirement, he popped in frequently to Watters Garden Center he started and loved.
Harold lost a daughter, Cheryl Watters, three years ago. He is survived by his wife, Lorna, and three daughters, Joanne Mikkelson and her husband Rick, Terri Watters, and Lisa Watters-Lain and her husband Ken, along with a brother and sister, Richard Watters and Jeannie McBride. Harold brimmed with pride when he was around his eight grandchildren, Raina Dawson, Lexi and Adam Miller, Samantha Mikkelson, Katelyn Lain-Cespedes, James, Meghan and McKenzie Lain; and he adored his four great-grandchildren.
Words of encouragement, memories and sympathy to the family are encouraged. They may be sent to Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Road, Prescott, Arizona 86305.
A celebration of Harold’s life is scheduled for his birthday, 11 a.m., March 17, at Solid Rock Christian Fellowship. The community lost a true neighbor and friend. Please join us. QCBN
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