Fred Watson; Food Firm Executive

Fred Boynton Watson, former president and chief executive officer of the family food brokerage firm Cook-Boynton Co., has died. He was 72.

Watson, who retired in 1983, died Aug. 16 while attending a family party, his company announced Tuesday. He had lived in San Marino for the past 38 years.

The firm, started by Watson’s grandfather Fred W. Boynton in 1893, has represented Heublein Inc., Welch Foods Inc. and other companies for more than 90 years.

Under Watson’s tenure, the brokerage launched Accent flavor enhancer and became what was generally considered the top food brokerage in Southern California.

Watson was president of the Southern California Food Brokers Assn., head of the Illuminators, an industry support group, and active in the National Food Brokers Assn.

Educated at Beverly Hills High School, Columbia University and USC, Watson served as a Navy lieutenant in the Pacific Fleet during World War II.

He was an aficionado of Dixieland band music and played tenor banjo with the musical group the Maestros.

Watson is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, the former Ada Marie Clarke; two sons, Robert Clarke Watson of San Marino and John Boynton Watson of Westcliffe, Colo.; his brother, John Watson; and five grandchildren.