Hereford, James Eric's Obituary
James “Eric” Hereford, born on November 29, 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio, passed on August 29, 2024. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, mentor, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Life Member Brother, and dedicated political activist and public servant.
Eric attended Howard University and graduated from Ohio University before serving over four years honorably as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Coast Guard.
A 50-year resident of San Diego, Eric was a mentor to many. His community service and political participation included Neighborhood House Association, Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC), BAPAC San Diego Chapter, San Diego County Democratic Party, California Democratic State Central Committee, and California State Assembly Speaker’s Office.
Active with the San Diego County Democratic Party for more than 35 years, he served for seven years as the County Party’s East Area Vice Chair and, before that, as Political Director.
Eric was the Vice Chair and Secretary of the California Democratic Party’s African-American Caucus and twice a California Delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He chaired two CDP Assembly District Committees 77th/79th and held leadership roles with the La Mesa-Foothills and Martin Luther King Democratic Clubs.
For over 30 years, Eric worked with the California State Assembly Speaker’s Office. He served the late Assemblyman Peter Chacon, ten Assembly Democratic Speakers from Speaker Willie Brown to Speaker Anthony Rendon, and the California Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Toni Atkins.
At the time of his passing, Eric was an appointed delegate to Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber, representing the 79th Assembly District with the California Democratic Party and Chair of its Senior Advisory Council. Additionally, he was an active San Diego County Democratic Party Central Committee member and Co-Chair of the Candidate Recruitment, Evaluations, and Development Committee. Eric was also a founding and active Board Member of the San Diego Chapter of the Black American Political Association of California.
For 43 years, Eric embodied the true spirit of companionship and love with his wife, Patricia. Together, raising three children, they built a life centered on honesty, loyalty, and compassion. Eric loved his family dearly and he was a guiding light, always encouraging them to follow their dreams and live true to their hearts.
Eric leaves behind his wife, Patricia, his children and their spouses — Kristina Hereford Watkins and Dr. Lavar Watkins, James Eric Hereford II and Zoë Adams Hereford, and Natalie Ann Hereford — his brother Michael, four grandchildren, a large extended family, and a vast network of friends and colleagues who will deeply miss him.
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