Richard Leon Watson

Richard Leon Watson, age 73, of Lacassine, LA, passed away peacefully and went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 28, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. He was a native of Sulphur, LA and a 1968 graduate of Sulphur High School. He also attended Louisiana Tech University and Sowela Technical College. Leon found his life’s work as a certified airplane mechanic and crop duster pilot. He retired as a partner of Obrien Flying service in Iowa, LA, after flying for 39 years.

Leon loved all things associated with airplanes, hunting and fishing. After retirement, he enjoyed helping his son in law with his rice farm. He was known as “Poppie” to his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and loved spending time with them. He was a very accomplished mechanic and builder of all things metal. He was a talented cook and will be remembered for his wonderful potato salad and peach cobbler recipes. Leon had a heart of a giant and had a way of making everyone around him feel special. He took great joy in storytelling and offering insightful advice.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Melba Watson and daughter, Michelle Bradley.

Those left to honor his memory are his wife of 40 years, Katina Vezina Watson; son, Raymond “Buddy” Bradley and wife Debbie; daughter, Sherry Watkins and husband Wynn; five grandchildren, Raymond “Bear” Bradley (partner, Jewel Breaux), Steven Bradley (partner, Kim Wilson), Ariel Braddock and husband Evans, Alyssa Stelly and husband Spencer, Sarah Savoy and husband Tate; three bonus grandchildren, Cole and Ahndi Bourne, Coy Wilson; eight great grandchildren, August, Windsor and Stetson Braddock, Annistyn, Adeleine, and Ansleigh Stelly, Hank Leon and Ivy Savoy.

Friends and family are invited to Leon’s celebration of life in Johnson and Brown Funeral Home of Iowa, LA, Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., with a memorial service beginning at 5 p.m. Graveside services will be held at a later date for the immediate family.

The family is very thankful for the care provided by Dr. Omar Alhalabi and his nurse Denise at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Dr. Michael Broussard and his nurse Katy at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Great appreciation is extended to the nurses of the Chemo Bay of LCMH for their personal and compassionate care. Gratitude is also extended to the entire staff of the LCMH Oncology Life Care Unit.