Herbert Drewry Watson Jr.

Herbert Drewry Watson, Jr., 76, of Virginia Beach, VA went home to heaven on December 24, 2023, surrounded by the love and comfort of his family. He was born on August 27, 1947, growing up and residing in the Norfolk and Virginia Beach areas of Virginia. Herbert was preceded in death by his father Herbert Watson, Sr. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Cathy Watson. Their marriage is a beautiful love story that began 58 years ago when they were childhood neighbors. Cathy was always by his side and devotedly cared for him until his passing. He was a proud father to daughter, Kendell Watson Griffin and husband Daniel and son, Jason Carr Watson and wife Sunny. His grandsons, Blake and Lane Griffin, with whom he shared his fondness for the game of baseball and collecting baseball memorabilia, brought him great joy. Herbert is also survived by his mother Patricia Dunford, his brother John Watson and wife Lynn, sister-in-law Jackie Chappell, sister-in-law Beth Quinn and husband Jamie, and dear friend Gail Hiller.

Herbert proudly served his country as a Storekeeper in the United States Navy after graduating from Old Dominion University. Following his Navy service, he earned his CPA license and began a long-standing career with Farm Fresh as their Chief Financial Officer. He went on to pursue a new dream of building custom homes and ran The Walters Company. His fine custom homes were included in many Homearama home shows and brought happiness and satisfaction to new homeowners. Herbert took great pride in crafting custom homes with expert care, skill, and professionalism.

Herbert's lifelong love of the game of baseball was woven through all walks of his life. As a child he listened to radio-broadcasted baseball games with his grandfather and began his baseball card and memorabilia collection as a young man. Herbert went to many major league baseball fields with his family. Visiting Camden Yards to watch his beloved Baltimore Orioles play was always a highlight. Establishing and running his Snider5 Baseball Memorabilia business brought him such delight, as he procured the finest cards and visited with his dearest friends at card shows. With his limitless knowledge in baseball, he shared helpful tips and encouraging words with his grandsons as they continue to follow their own baseball journeys. Baseball was always the backdrop to his proudest moments. You would find him behind the baseball card table talking trivia, finding mint condition cards, and displaying Mickey Mantle's finest on his very happiest of days. With his wife at his side, he traveled the country to attend and serve his customers at some of the most prominent shows and many National Conventions. He shared his wishes to continue his legacy in finding joy in the game of baseball and to always love and worship the Lord. Herbert lived each day firmly in his relationship with the Lord.

The family will gather with friends on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. for a chapel service at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Laskin Road, Virginia Beach. Herbert will rest peacefully at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery following a family service in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations in Herbert's honor can be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and North Carolina State University Veterinary Hospital. We send our deepest love and appreciation to all our family and friends who knew, laughed with, and cared for our precious Herbert. Online condolences can be made to the family at hdoliver.com.