Douglas "Doug" Clarence Watters

Douglas “Doug” C. Watters

October 4, 1955 – October 28, 2026

      Douglas Clarence Watters, age 71, passed away on October 28, 2026. Doug was born on October 4, 1955, in La Mesa, California, to Clarence G. Watters, Jr., and Florence Bray Henrikson. His stepparents were L. “Rik” Henrikson and Gerry Buss Watters. He graduated from Grossmont High School in La Mesa in 1973. Continuing his education, Doug earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from San Diego State University in 1985 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 1992.

On June 16, 2010, Doug married Kimberly R. Barnett in Doña Ana County, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Together, they shared a life filled with laughter, family, special friends, travel, concerts, and Harley rides. “Still, always and forever” were the words they lived by.

Doug had a varied and accomplished career. He learned the ins and outs of the pool industry as branch manager for Pool Water Products in Garden Grove, California, from 1986 to 1992. Pool water was never considered clear enough until Doug worked his magic with the chemicals! While living in Borrego Springs, California, Doug and his former wife, Deborah Knapp, owned and operated Palm Canyon Resort from 1993 until their retirement in 2002. He then became a commercial property owner in Chula Vista, California, and later in Conyers, Georgia.

Doug was actively involved in his community and received several special honors throughout his life. He served as president of the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce from July 1995 through June 1996 and received Special Congressional Recognition for his service. In 2000, he was honored by the San Diego Film Commission, and in 2008, he earned his Iron Butt Association certification, reflecting his passion and dedication to long-distance motorcycle riding. Other passions included helping with Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraisers and frequently donating blood and platelets through Vitalant and the Barnett Harley-Davidson Blood Drives.

A lifelong and fiercely loyal San Diego Padres fan, Doug remained Friar faithful to his team from childhood until his passing. His collection of Padres memorabilia included memories of attending the 1984 World Series, along with an impressive assortment of wall art, shirts, hoodies, and ball caps. Introducing his wife and stepdaughter to the world of Padres baseball was something he cherished, and they will forever appreciate the memories and love of the game he shared with them. Go Padres!

Doug was also an avid Harley-Davidson rider for many years, logging well over 100,000 miles while traveling through 46 states. From his 2003 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy to his 2022 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide Limited, Doug truly relished his wind therapy. With an atomic fireball candy in his mouth and his extensive music collection playing, he made countless memories on his road trips, enjoying beautiful country, weathering dangerous storms, and sharing the highways with friends. He was a longtime member of the Southern New Mexico HOG Chapter, where he held several officer positions, including director, assistant director, activities officer, and road captain. His road name was “U-Turn,” and one of his favorite rides to lead was the annual trip to Pie Town, as he had quite the reputation for his love of sweets!

Doug is survived by his wife, Kimberly R. Barnett-Watters, and stepdaughter, Kaitlynn R. Hogan, both of Las Cruces, New Mexico. He is also survived by his siblings, Karen H. Berry and Gary M. Watters (Leslie); stepsisters Donna Lafreniere (Bill, deceased) and Shirley Buss (Leslie); and nieces and nephews, Kevin Berry (Kaitlyn), Lisa Frost (Adam), Michael Watters (Alexis), Tiina Lukkarila, Nikki Lukkarila-Vargas, Maci Frost, Kali Frost, William Berry, and Christopher Berry. He is also survived by his former wife, Deborah Knapp, and her sons, Alex Thomson and Adam Thomson.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Florence Bray Henrikson (2000) and Clarence G. Watters, Jr. (2002); his stepparents, L. “Rik” Henrikson (2000) and Gerry Buss Watters (2018); his brothers, David G. Watters (1955) and Jeffrey M. Watters (2010); and his stepbrother, Wayne Buss (2004).

A memorial service celebrating Doug’s life will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Crossroads Community Church, formerly Barnett’s Las Cruces Harley-Davidson, located at 2600 Lakeside Drive in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A small reception will follow at the same location.

Arrangements are being handled by Getz Funeral Home, along with Pastor Joel Oates and the church staff. The family extends a special thank-you to Andrea Schneider of Andele Restaurant in Mesilla, New Mexico. They also wish to acknowledge Bonnie Zeiler of Northrise Memory Care, as well as the emergency room and ICU nurses and doctors who cared for Doug, and the Mesilla Valley Hospice/La Posada staff who provided care and comfort during his final day. Your kindness, compassion, and support are deeply appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Doug’s honor may be made to:

Tango’s Animal Sanctuary, the forever home for the perfectly imperfect in our community (https://www.tangosanimalsanctuary.org)

Mesilla Valley Hospice (http://www.mvhospice.org)

Bonnie Zeiler’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s (https://alzm.org/mqb3y).