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, 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 Chair of the 79th Assembly District Senior Advisory Council, appointed delegate to Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber, and SDCDP Central Committee member and Co-Chair of Candidate Recruitment, Evaluations, and Development Committee.
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 Audra-Pilar 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.
Service Information: Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church at 2111 Camino del Rio South, San Diego
