Arnold ‘John’ Watlers, Jr. was born on August 4, 1948 in Denver, Colorado to Arnold and Nellie Walters and passed peacefully on July 6, 2017 in the company of family, following a brave and lengthy battle with cancer. When the wind blows through your hair while driving with the windows rolled down, or better yet, cruising on your motorcycle, enjoy the breeze, for it may be John.
John was a loving, patient, indulgent and ever-caring husband, first to Kris (Sinkey), who preceded him in death in 2008, and later to Julie Smith (Trombla), who survives him. John is also survived by two sisters: Marian Morrissey and Sandy Love; three sons: Jason (wife Kim); Jared (wife Leeta); and Josh (wife Darcy); and his five grandchildren: Madison; Cameron; Joaquin; Phineas; and Johan. John will also be missed by Julie’s sons: Jack (Morgan; daughters Kaelynn, Adley) and Ben. John’s love for his children and grandchildren was matched only by their love and admiration for him. His guidance as a father, whether by example, gentle, reasoned coaxing, or a swift but loving smackdown, will be sorely missed, as will his compassion, generosity, strength, dedication to hard work and overall love of life.
John was a proud graduate of Lincoln High School’s class of 1966 and later received an education degree from John F. Kennedy College in Wahoo. Although John was an excellent teacher of invaluable life lessons to all who knew him, he realized that the confines of the classroom were a less-than-ideal venue for his skill set. So, instead of teaching, he worked briefly as an officer with the Lincoln Police Department and then as a bank teller at First National Bank of Lincoln. John soon moved to the investment department at FNB, then became an early and long-time partner at Smith-Hayes Financial Services, and ultimately retired from the wealth management field while at Executive Wealth Management in Lincoln.
John was a committed volunteer, generously giving his time and input to the Eastmont Towers Foundation, 4-H of Nebraska, the YMCA of Lincoln, the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, amongst many other organizations.
A casual service honoring John’s life will be held at First Plymouth Congregational Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 15 followed by a celebration of life. Please feel inspired by John’s sense of style and wear your favorite bright-colored shirt and socks.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in remembrance of John to: Food Bank of Lincoln, YMCA of Lincoln, Eastmont Towers Foundation, Mourning Hope Grief Center or a charitable organization of your choice.