Kenneth Lee Watt

Kenneth Lee Watt, 81, of San Antonio Del Mar, passed away on January 13, 2021 in San Diego.

Ken was born in Los Angeles to Harold and Thelma Watt on July 29, 1939. He married Bonita Carolyn Deem on September 12, 1964.  He graduated from Dominguez Hills University with a BA in Fine Art. 

Ken is preceded in death by, his son Seth Allen Watt, brother Richard Allen Watt, sister Patricia Watt, and parents Harold and Thelma Watt.

Ken is survived by Bonita Watt (wife), Scott (son) and Elizabeth (daughter in law) Watt. Grandchildren, Cameron and Christian Watt, Candice and Anthony Figueroa.  Great Grand Children, Emilia and Riley Figueroa

Eulogy by Candice Allyse Figueroa, Granddaughter (Given at the private Graveside service)

You all know me by the name of Candice… but to my grandpa, I always referred to myself as his “favorite granddaughter” (the perks of being the only one). Grandpa lived a long and full life 81 years to be exact. But, when writing this remembrance of him, I can really only speak to the last 30 in which I had the pleasure of knowing him. That’s because he was a man who lived in the present. He was never a “rambler.” He wasn’t stuck in the past, constantly telling you “old man” stories of his glory days. Sure, from time to time… when curiosity struck me… I could pull out a story or two of his young, wilder days…. Something about handcuffs? Still a little unsure… but even then, I think he still managed to take some secrets to the grave. Conversation with him was always filled with plans for the future… Future adventures, experiences, travel, and most importantly, future meals! We shared a love for food together! I can honestly say he sparked that joy of cooking inside of me…. Whether it was the way he shook his hips when he stirred things in a bowl, his cream cheese scrambled eggs (YUM), or his enthusiastic mimicking of Emeril Lagasse’s famous “BAM”!!! Food was a true passion for him. When thinking back on fun food memories with him… one kept standing out… Our night at the House of Prime Rib in San Francisco. Anthony and I were living in the bay area and grandma and grandpa came up for a visit. I knew he loved a Prime Rib Dinner. And, if there was any other foodie in the world I would want to share this special dining experience with, it was definitely him. SO... I made the reservation for the earliest time possible (5 pm I believe). All 4 of us were elated to dine at this historic joint! Before the doors open, there was already a line out front waiting to get in!! Exclusivity… was definitely up his ally. After we checked in, we were told to wait in the lounge. So, we grabbed a small table and ordered a round of martinis! (Another thing to add to his and my level of fancy taste)...We were in our element…. After some time passed, we were taken back to our table… nice corner booth. He wouldn’t have accepted it any other way. As the 4 of us settled in, there wasn’t a doubt in our mind, we were all getting the prime rib dinner! We ordered up a bottle of wine and toasted one another as the tableside meat carver came around to slice up our fresh cut of meat… and man did we indulge!!! It was out of this world amazing!!! There were more servers around than I could count! It never gave him the time to once complain or the need to wave someone down from across the room. Every detail thought of and our mood elevated because of it!!! Truly, this was a once in a lifetime experience that was not wasted.I feel so deeply this dinner and our experience together really explains him in his element: Enjoying incredible food, in a swanky environment, with great conversation and a solid buzz. He was a fierce, adventurous, and sometimes impulsive man who enjoyed the finer things. And being with him not only gave me, and others who knew him, an appreciation for excellent food, but a drive for excellence and high standards in anything we worked towards in life. He always knew how to elevate the mentality of those around him. He was never the cautious one in the group… I can almost hear him now saying…. “Oh, sure, why not?!” or “Go bigger, or biggest, right?”…… and that’s just who he was.Besides an excellent Prime Rib and a strong Jack Daniels with Seven-up, he also had an appetite for life. Whether it was taking us as young kids to the Donut Shop on Sunday to enjoy the car show, or locking himself away for hours in his studio expressing himself through painting (another way he was so artistic), or traveling with my grandma exploring different cities, cultures, music, and food! He lived in the here and now. Not only was he a bold creative soul, but was also known for his sarcasm, humor, and sometimes embarrassing displays of attention. But, his unique and fearless personality made for fun stories and a good time!!In all the eccentric moments, arguments, laughter, and grandma’s pieces of pie… one thing always stood true… his love for his family. He always showed his love through loyalty and how he spoke about us to others. The way he always spoke about my grandmother rung true in his unwavering love for her. It wasn’t about any soft feelings he displayed, but about how proud he was that she stood by his side and the support she showed him and their children as an amazing wife, mother, homemaker, and his best friend. So, when I look back at the 30 years I got to spend getting to know Ken Watt and grasping who he was throughout his lifetime… it wasn’t about his career path, what trophies were on his shelf, or his net worth.… it was about the way he lit up a room and had those around him live in the present… enjoying his craziness and him bringing out a little of yours. Grandpa, I will forever miss you… and I cannot wait to go back and sit in that corner booth with a glass of wine and a fresh cut of prime rib and think of you…. Cheers to now and the future.