b"OBITUARIESDeath of a Black Panther,Lauren Ralph Watson, 2/16/408/7/2019L aurenRalphWatson,Sunrise February 16, 1940 - Sunset August 7, 2019. Lauren Ralph Watson was the second of three children born to Ruth MarthaWatson.Hisoldestsiblingis Sandra, and his younger brother was Clarke,whoprecededhimindeath. LaurenwasborninSanFrancisco, California, on February 16, 1940. Hespentmuchofhisformative yearsplayingsportsandwasactive in performing arts as a young adult. Hewasengagedinpoliticaltheatre well into his late twenties. Lauren was alsoapoet,andmostofhispoems reflected his thoughts on the condition and plight of Black people in America, andontheravagesoftheVietnam War. Lauren married Marylou Brooks on December 7, 1968, and they hadLauren Ralph Watsontwo sons, Hasira and Sheps. He was also the father of Tejon and China. He waslaterblessedwithsevengrand- of Denver. He appealed to the grass-children.roots,whowerealsodisenchanted AlthoughLaurenwasengagedinwithwhatwasoccurringinAmerica numerouslocalactivistefforts,heand with the war in Vietnam. He orga-hadn'treallyfoundhistrueniche,nized everything,from inner city chil-but when he read about the philoso- dren's breakfast program and anti-war phyandfocusoftheBlackPanthermarches,totakingoverthemayor's Party (BPP), including their Ten-Pointoffice.In 1969, Lauren was arrested ProgramforSelf-Defense,hewasand charged with resisting arrest. His hooked.Thisprogramstatedidealstrialwasthefirstevertobefilmed and ways of operation, and it servedandairedonnationaltelevision.The asasetofguidelinestotheBPP.Itjury acquitted him after only two hour wastheparty'sBillofRightsandaofdeliberation.Hewasrepresented Declaration of Independence.byhislawyerandfriend,Attorney Leonard Davies. In1967,LaurenknewitwastimeLauren was a phenomenal historian to take a trip to Oakland, California.and could wave a picture of what was There he met, worked and studied withoccurringontheworldstagewith the party's leadership, including HueyBlackpeople.His6'1framewould P.NewtonandBobbySeale.Hewasapproachapodiumwithnonotes, afire with how the party was organized,dressedinhisblackjacket,black andhemadewhatwastobeoneofberet, andsunglasses, and take you several trips to Oakland to continue toonaserioushistoryjourney.Lauren work and study under these powerfulwasapowerfulvoiceforequity,and men.social justice. Inthatsameyear,atriareturningHe was relentless andunswerving homefromOakland,Laurenstartedinaddressingtheneedsofthecom-organizingtheBlackPantherPartymunity. We will miss that uncompro-misingenergy.PowertothePeople!!! LaurenRalphWatsondepartedthis lifeonAugust7,2019,inAurora He was relentlessColorado.Thoselefttocherishhis memoryincludes;threesons,Hasira andunswervingA.(Dawnyle)Ashemu,ShepsH. Khamsahu, and Tejon Williams all of in addressingDenver, Colorado; one daughter, China ScrogginsofLasAngeles,California; the needs of theonesister,Sandra(Warren)Dillard-Scott; seven grandchildren; and a host community. ofnieces,nephews,cousins,other relatives, and many friends. BODY OF CHRIST NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 17"