On June 21, 1943, Edmund Watson’s story began with the love intended before time and designed by God through Edwin and Esther Watson.  Welcomed by his elder brother, Desmond, Ed was the first of eleven siblings raised at 216 Manni Street in Mackenzie, Guyana.  His father, Edwin, a man of few words and concrete action, demonstrated consistency as a provider, unbounded love and respect for his wife, and the ability to support the curiosity of his children.  Esther, a seamstress, knew how to hone the unique gifts of each of her children.  For Ed, she fostered the growth of his keen intelligence, instilling in him the importance of discipline and education by telling him, “What is in the mind, they can never take from you.”  She would wake him early in the morning to study and make sure he memorized poems such as Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare.  She even made him wear heavy boots to train for track.  While young and not fully understanding the words, she impressed upon Ed a definition of love that goes “to the edge of doom.”  In word and action, she taught him to be relentless in the love given to his family and all creation, especially those on the edge of society.  He took these lessons deep into his heart and assumed the role of big brother with a deep sense of responsibility and care.

While Guyana was still under British rule, students were given a cumulative exit exam consisting of five years of content in History, Science, Math and Geography.  Ed made Mackenzie High School history by being the first person from his town to score the highest in the country.  He earned a full scholarship to attend the prestigious Queens College.  Later, Ed was hired as a Laboratory Technician at an aluminum plant.  In 1968, he left everything and everyone he knew in order to further his education in the United States at Howard University in Washington D.C.  Having no concept of the taxi fare between New York City and D.C., he spent all the funds his family had given him on the taxi and slept on a park bench his first night in America.  To get through school, he worked the switchboards at the Cairo Hotel.  Mr. Berger, his supervisor, observed the diligence of this promising immigrant student and helped Ed’s “Hey Jude” epiphany of “you have found her, now go and get her” come true by financially helping him to bring his beloved Myrtle to America. Starting with very little, Ed and Myrtle worked hard and aided each other in finishing their degrees. Together, they slowly created bridges of support for their parents and siblings to forge a new life in America. 

The friendships and memories made during those years sustained them through the good times and the hard times.  In 1972, Ed graduated in the first class of Chemical Engineering at Howard University.  As an engineer, he worked for DuPont in Martinsville, Virginia and later was hired as a chemical and processing engineer for Sun Oil Refinery, taking him “out west” to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he served in multiple divisions across his 27-year career.  After retirement, he worked for 20 years as a bus driver for Jenks Public Schools, a position where the interaction with his colleagues and students brought him great joy.

His friends joke and say Ed could have been anything he wanted to be.  He chose his path and often relinquished great opportunities to secure stability and time with the people who mattered most to him - his family.  He guarded his time in order to be present with his children and created a unique relationship with each of them.  For example, his annual vacation was a 22-hour drive to Washington, D.C. to spend time with his parents, siblings, nieces and nephews.  This included late night parties, dominos, laughter, dancing, and lots of good Guyanese food.  And while he was completely present for his family and community - coaching soccer for the boys, cheering on the sidelines for numerous track meets, concerts, and basketball games, teaching Sunday school, helping with Martha’s Foundation and driving the church bus (for which many of us have memories of Ed’s turns and Myrtle’s reprimands) - he somehow found time to play the piano, paint, bowl, golf, play soccer, beat the ping pong champion of Tulsa, and become known as the “Racker” for clearing the pool table.  

Generations of us have been subject to Ed Watson’s science and math tutoring, which were always well intentioned, but resonated with the sharp edges of a man who could not quite accept that the rest of us did not operate on his intellectual wavelength.  He had an unquenchable curiosity.  He stocked his home with National Geographic Magazine.  He took, sometimes dragged, his family through countless museums, battlegrounds, historical markers, gravesites, and birth places - from Abraham Lincoln to Patsy Cline!  He read voraciously.  He studied Latin, German, French, and Spanish.  He also learned just enough Italian to strike up conversations with old men on the benches of Sardinia.

Ed has been referred to as “the most interesting man in the world,” “the life of the party,” “a character,” “the GOAT,” and “a hoot".  With his gift for storytelling and onery pranks, laughter and good times followed Ed Watson!  Yet as lighthearted as he was, he took the gift of life very seriously.  He had the unique ability to connect with people making the smallest child, a stranger on the elevator, and new people in the family feel seen and heard.  When needed, he gave words of support and stern correction.  He lovingly challenged us to step outside of ourselves, keep an open mind, and entertain multiple views on any situation.  There were times when you expected him to take your side, but he would throw a curve ball challenging you to see it from your adversary’s perspective.   He was a proud Guyanese American, and he made sure that we knew the country’s hard history, were grateful for our lives here, and stayed civically engaged.  Even in polarized times, he would remind us that “these people are good people.”  He could be simultaneously cantankerous and a peacemaker.  He impressed upon us to ask for what is just - be it a full, hot carton of French fries or the rights of the vulnerable.  He taught us to forgive and let go, “to never let the sun set on an argument,” to say your part and let it go, to not hold grudges, and to not rehash the past.

He treasured his relationship with God and wanted us to always listen for the “still, small voice” of God.  While he took his last earthly breath on July 31, 2026, Ed Watson’s story continues through all of us with the love intended before time and designed by God.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations towards three opportunities close to their hearts.  If you would like to support a student at Edmund’s alma mater, Mackenzie High School in Guyana, please contact or send a check to Myrtle Watson.  Along with your gift, please include in the memo section at the bottom of your check: In Memory of Edmund Watson.  If you would like to send a charitable donation to support students in Howard University’s Chemical Engineering Program, go to College of Engineering and Architecture | Howard Giving.  To donate to Martha’s Foundation for pregnant and teen mothers, go to Donate to Martha's Foundation - Make an Impact Today!.

Arrangements are in the care of Green Hill Funeral Home. 

Live Stream for the Funeral Service can be found on their Youtube page @tulsahillschurch979

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