Watts, Edmond Dickson

Edmond Dickson Watts, 61, of Botetourt County, transcended physical life on Monday, October 29, 2007. Dickson was born in 1946 in Greensboro, N.C. He was predeceased by Carmella Jerome Watts and John Hamilton Watts.

He leaves behind special friend, companion and business partner, Micki Patrick; beloved children including, son and daughter-in-law, Eringiri and Anne Watts now living in Boulder, Colo.; daughter, Bronwyn Watts in Cornelius, N.C.; a brother, Jerome Watts in Ellicott City, Md.; nephews, Peter Watts in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Keith Watts and Thomas Watts; and niece, Susan Bryant, all of Ellicott City, Md.

Dickson moved with his family to Baltimore in 1948. He graduated from T.H.S. in 1964 then attended Stetson University in Florida where he graduated with a degree in accounting then traveled extensively in India and Southeast Asia. Dickson spent two years in India in the early 70’s studying yoga and meditation. He traveled throughout the world as a student of nature and indigenous cultures.

Upon returning from his travels, he moved to Floyd in April of 1973 where he bought a 131 acre farm. Dickson was an accomplished organic farmer who raised tobacco, strawberries, asparagus, fruit trees, pines, and a variety of other edible plants and medicinal herbs in the biodynamic methods of Rudolf Steiner. He was instrumental in starting a food co-op that eventually became the Harvest Moon. He helped write grants that were instrumental in starting the Floyd Agricultural Energy Co-op, where local farmers could transport corn to manufacture into ethanol. Dickson provided tax and accounting services for small farmers and artisans in Floyd. He also sponsored Buddhist retreats at his farm.

In 1989 he moved to Smith Mountain Lake and started a mortgage brokerage. In 1993 he moved to Botetourt County continuing in the business of mortgage and finance. He has acted as Treasurer of the Board for the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op for several years.

Most recently, in partnership with Micki Patrick, he co-created an 87 acre eco-subdivision, named Touchstone Farm in Botetourt County. It was the first “green” community based on sound ecological and biological stewardship in the county. He was a lifelong advocate of vegetarianism, sustainable living and cooperative endeavors. He is a great teacher to us all.