Earl Eugene Watson Sr.

Earl Eugene Watson Sr.

After a two-year battle with cancer, “Earl the Pearl” passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, after 90 years of a fascinating life. He was born and raised as one of seven children in the Woodlawn community of the south side of Chicago.
During World War II, Earl proudly served and was injured in the U.S. Army, Company C of the 1317th Engineers, in the European theater. His elite black regiment provided support for Gen. Patton’s 3rd Army, landed at Normandy on D-Day, fought in the Battle of the Bulge and built a bridge at the Battle of the Rhine River.
After the war, vowing to avoid another harsh winter, he went west to visit his sister. He settled in Los Angeles where he met his loving wife, Melba. Together, they enjoyed 69 years of “honeymooning,” raising three sons and a daughter. He worked hard to put their children through private schools. Earl was active in Boy Scouts and the family enjoyed frequent pool parties, trips to the beach, Pacific Ocean Park, Disneyland, house parties, sporting events and Father & Son fishing trips to Lake Sequoia. He was a family man.
After struggling to find a job in postwar America, Earl landed a job as the doorman of the top-rated Hollywood Knickerbocker Hotel. His handsome good looks, easy smile and outgoing personality made him a natural success as he established friendships with many top celebrities, athletes and businessmen. Earl became a friend and confidant to many people in Hollywood’s movie and music industries as well as professional sports stars, including Elvis Presley, Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe, Nat King Cole, Jackie Robinson and the Mayor of Hollywood, Johnny Grant. He worked as Elvis’ first Hollywood bodyguard and protected DiMaggio and Monroe from unwanted attention while they honeymooned at the Knickerbocker. These and many other interesting stories are recounted in his memoir, "Earl, Doorman to the Stars," available on Amazon.com.
Earl went on to excel in a sales and marketing career, helping to launch the Jose Cuervo Beach Volleyball Tour, breaking racial barriers and setting sales records in the wine and liquor industry, which included California’s Central Valley. He retired in Fresno, where he and Melba established many deep and lasting friendships. As Melba always says, “He never met a stranger and never forgot a friend...”
With Melba as his constant support, Earl was an incredibly generous person and very active in charitable activities for children and veterans. He always said, “I have five cents more than I’m going to need.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Earl’s memory to S.W. Fresno Police Department’s Bringing Broken Neighborhoods Back to Life, PO Box 1271, Fresno CA 93715.