Darian Watchman

Eulogy for my Brother Darian By his sister “Nona” We are gathered here today in the memory of my brother, Darian, so that together we may acknowledge and share both the joy in the gift that his life was to us, and the pain that his passing brings. In sharing the joy and the pain together today, may we lessen the pain and remember more clearly the joy. Let me first start with a proper introduction of his Navajo Clans: Mother’s Clan: Ashiihi (Salt People) Father’s Clan: Tachiinii (Red Running into Water) Maternal Grandfather’s Clan: Kinyaanii (Towering House Clan) Paternal Grandfather’s Clan: Tse nahabilnii (Sleep Rock People) First, let it be known that Darian and the whole Watchman family were HUGE DENVER BRONCOS fans… Darian was just 47 years old when he passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Reid Heart Center in Pinehurst, NC. He was born on July 1, 1977 in Shiprock, NM to Amelia & Wallace Watchman of Sheep Springs. At the time, Darian was engaged to Cynthia Flores of North Carolina. He also was set to marry Cynthia this coming Winter of 2024. Cynthia’s two kids had accepted Darian as their “father.” Darian had no biological children and immediately accepted his new family with open arms. He is survived by his sister (Wenona) and two brothers (Wallace Jr & Walfredo). We also lost our beloved mother (Amelia) in January of 2021 and our sister (Tammy) in January of 2022. From Cynthia: “The tears won't stop. They say time heals all wounds but the loss I feel is heavy in my heart. Darian showed me so much love and fun. He had genuine kindness, friendly personality. He would help anyone in need. He was a protector to those who needed protecting. He was a wonderful man. I will cherish our time together forever. He was a gift.” Darian was close to his family, to his friends, and also his beloved dog, Sarge. Growing up with Darian as a brother wasn’t always easy for us. We loved each other but we couldn’t be with each other for extended periods of time. Darian was a natural comedian who loved to make others laugh. His joking, teasing and crazy antics are great memories that we will forever cherish. Darian always had the patience to fish and he loved to BBQ. He was the brother that would listen to his Rastafarian music and cook. He was a great babysitter to his nieces and nephews. Darian graduated from Newcomb High School in 1995. He also attended the University of New Mexico and graduated from Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. Darian was such a great artist and a Navajo Sandpainter. We were taught by our parents and we supported ourselves with this art for many years. Many of his paintings are currently displayed online. He loved going to the casinos with his aunts and grandpa. He especially liked to play the slot machines. Most of all, Darian enjoyed teasing his grandpa about the ladies he saw walking around in Gallup. Making it seem like grandpa was checking out those ladies….. Many of you will recall seeing Darian at the Sheep Springs Senior Center. He was always joking and teasing the elders as they ate or completed their crafts. He also enjoyed driving the white van at the church in Two Grey Hills. Darian was a man who wasn’t shy, a warm friendly man who made his mark in the world not with grand gestures or fancy titles, but by the basic goodness and generosity of his character, by the quality of his involvement with his fellow man, and how he brought out these qualities in others. Let it be noted that Darian was an organ donor and he gave joy and hope to the recipients of those who needed these life saving organs. There were many wonderful aspects to Darian’s life, and many ways that he touched our lives. He will be remembered as a wonderful son, hilarious brother, a great friend, a generous uncle, cousin, outdoorsman, natural comedian or a friendly face at “the junction.” In all these ways and more, he made our lives richer and fuller. Now that he has passed away, of course there is emptiness and pain, confusion and maybe even anger at death coming to a man of only 47 years, but in many ways, the gift of Darian’s life is still here with us. He lives on in our memories and stories, and in what all of us have become because of him. So I encourage you to share today, tomorrow and in the years to come your memories and stories, and to share the pain of your loss as well. In this way we will keep the gift of Darian’s life alive. On behalf of the rest of the family, I’d like to thank you all for coming here today. “In life I know there’s lots of grief, but your love is my relief.” -Bob Marley-