Thomas L. Watters

Thomas L. Watters, 75, died December 11, 2017, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, after a three-year battle against prostate cancer. Tom was the beloved husband of Barbara and loving father of Kelly and Kimberly. Born March 23, 1942, in Wilkinsburg, PA, Tom was quarterback of his high school football team. He went on to play college football and graduate from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a degree in English. He also earned a master’s degree in Guidance Counseling from Wayne State University, MI. Tom moved to South Florida in 1971 where he began his teaching career and football coaching position at McArthur High School. He went on to teach at various middle and high schools for almost 20 years as well as become a licensed real estate broker in 1975. Tom was an avid pilot who owned a Cessna 172 and enjoyed aviation adventures that included extensive travel in the Caribbean islands. Thomas is survived by: Barbara Trombley, married March 18, 1967, in Grosse Pointe, MI; daughters Kelly Marshall Medina and husband Gilberto, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Kimberly Sumner Santomauro and husband Marco, New York, NY; granddaughter Alexie Maria Medina, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; brothers Edmond A. Watters III, Villanova, PA, and John M. Watters and wife Meredith, Oxford, MD; as well as cousins, nieces, and a nephew. A memorial service will be held at T.M. Ralph Funeral Home, Plantation, with the family receiving friends from  1:30 pm  till service time at 2:00 pm on Sunday, January 14, 2018. In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) flight training scholarship foundation, or the charity of your choice.