Warren Kearny Watters

Warren Kearny Watters, a New Orleans native, passed from this life April 12 after a brief illness, just two weeks shy of his 98th birthday. The void left from his passing is immeasurable. He was a devoted and well loved man throughout his life.

Warren is survived by his beloved wife of 75 years, Chastine "Tatine"; daughters, Mary Neilson and Cecile Tebo; six grandsons, Nelson and Warren Lindsley, William, Christopher and Alexander Tebo and Tucker Arbaugh; one granddaughter, Chastine "Mackie" Arbaugh; and two great grandsons, Conrad and Loyal Lindsley.

Warren is preceded in death by his parents, Ellen Sloo Kearny Watters and Colonel Alfred Adair Watters; brothers, A. Adair of Spartanburg, S.C. and Russell Watters of California; and his eldest daughter, Chastine "Tina" Van Fleet of Pensacola.

Warren briefly attended Newman School before attending and graduating from Choate School in Connecticut in 1944 and then graduating from MIT in 1949. Among his many achievements at MIT, it is noted that he was the instigator of one of MIT's most famous hoax attempts, replicated in the 1980's by a band of MIT Deke's (Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity) honoring the 1940's attempt which was thwarted by Yale/Harvard security at the time.

Warren was a wonderful athlete and was captain of the Tennis Teams both at Choate and MIT, And served as President of the DEKE 1949 National Convention.

His military service included active duty in the Marine Corps during WWII and as naval officer in the Korean War, serving several years as Operations Officer on the USS Cabildo.

Warren was considered an expert in the development of fiberglass and foam insulation products for thermal, acoustic and fire protection on ships and submarines with personal contacts in the shipbuilding industry throughout the U.S. and a number of countries in the far east and Europe.

His business career included several years with Owens Corning followed by serving as President of the Reilly Benton Co. and as Board Director of Whitney Bank for many years. He was a life-long member and vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church, founder of the Trinity Perpetual Memorial Endowment Fund and served as Financial Advisor of the substantial sum raised. Warren served as President of the Board of Trinity Episcopal School, and Trustee of the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee.

Other activities included serving as President of Kingsley House, the Garden District Association and the Waldo Burton Home. He was Vice-President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, Chairman of the United Way Long Range Planning Committee, a member of the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Crime and Delinquency and Trustee of The International House.

Warren was a lifetime member of the New Orleans Country Club, The Wyvern Club, The Boston Club, The Louisiana Literary and Debating Society, The Society of Colonial Wars, The School of Design (Rex), The Milton Society (Atlanteans), Syntax Society (Comus) and several other carnival organizations.

Our precious Warren, the warrior, taught us to always love and serve others first. He lived his life a physical angel to all and now graces the heavens with spiritual wings to fly.

The Watters Family wishes to thank Warren's incredible caregivers, Barbara Jackson, Aundra Smith, Brenda Baptiste, Demetric Hawkins and Wilma Sanders for their amazing care, love and devotion to Warren over the past few years.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to either The Waldo Burton Home For Boys in New Orleans or to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1411 Jackson Avenue, Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 2pm with a reception to follow.