Eric Watson Jr.

Eric Watson Jr. age 53, was a proud alumni of John McDonough Senior High School and valued member of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity Incorporated he lost his fight to cancer Monday May 1, 2023. Eric was born in New Orleans, LA on November 12, 1969 to the late Eric Watson Sr. and Carlotta Suzanne Watson. His younger years were spent in the Calliope project where he embraced his rich New Orleans culture while following in his father’s legacy by becoming a member of the Furious Five and Young Men Olympian Benevolent Society. Aside from parading, Eric also enjoyed the Mardi Gras Indian tradition. He assisted his family with making Indian suits, as well as attending Indian practice with his family tribe, The Black Eagles. This led to the development of his love of music. Eric’s musical journey began at Florence J. Chester Elementary School. As his passions grew, he continued to play in the band at James Derham Middle School and Andrew J. Bell Junior High School. Eric diligently played his drum until the opportunity presented itself to earn a spot in the John McDonough Senior High School Fighting Trojans Marching Band. Eric thrived in John Mac’s band earning the position as tenor drum president and section leader where he successfully groomed and created the best and most powerful tenor drum section of his time. They were known as the “Funky Four plus Two More”. They played under Eric’s leadership until he graduated in 1987. Eric earned a band scholarship to Southern University A & M College. In the Fall of 1987 he became a member of the Human Jukebox Marching Band where first year freshmen were affectionately called “crabs”. While at Southern, he pledged Alpha Phi Omega in the Kappa Lambda Chapter where he was #6 on the line otherwise known as “Jeckelman” in the Spring of 1988. After a short time spent at Southern University, his life led him to another path and he left to complete his college career at Delgado Community College City Park Campus where he earned his Associates Degree in Culinary Arts. Following his graduation from Delgado, Eric embarked on a 30 year culinary career. Throughout his career Eric had the opportunity to reside as Executive Chef at places such as the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the Hilton Hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, the Southern Yacht Club and as the Co-Executive Chef at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. He retired at Sunshine Retirement Living as the Executive Travel Chef. Eric was also a craftsman and barber by trade with over 20 plus years of experience where he used his skills to give haircuts and to create customized wooden pieces for his classmates and line brothers. During his time of building Eric also met his life long partner and best friend Tiffany Domingo (Watson) and began a 27 year relationship. They wed August 11, 2001. The couple shared six beautiful children and five grandchildren with three grandchildren soon to be born. Eric is preceded in death by his father Eric Watson Sr., (paternal grandfather) George Reed Watson Sr., (paternal grandmother) Curley Watson Lewis, (maternal grandfather) Theodore Niles Clarke Sr., (maternal grandmother) Mildred Populus Clarke Collins, (uncle) Gerard Lewis, (close cousins) Arthur Arnolie Jr., Gregory Arnolie Sr. and Gerald Clarke Jr. Eric is survived by his wife Tiffany Watson, mother Carlotta Watson, sisters Carmen Watson and Lana Meyon Watson, children Dominique Minor, Cierica Herrington (Katie), Dexter West, Taylor, Eric III and Tia Watson, grandchildren Amayieh Davis, Alaikym Mitchell, Amaj Johnson, Ali Eric Herrington, Trinity Auzenne, three unborn grandchildren, three loving nephews, one niece and close cousin/brother Herbert Stevens III and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. A Celebration of Life and Legacy will be held at Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Avenue New Orleans, La 70125 on Saturday May 20, 2023 at 10:00 am with visitation at 9:00 am. Internment: private. Arrangements by D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. New Orleans, LA 70125. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook.