Orion Waters
July 27, 1975 – May 26, 2026

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Orion Waters. May the memory of his smile, friendly hug and infectious lyrics be a comfort to all he left behind.

Orion Waters, born Joseph Orion Watrous, was born in San Rafael to Barbara Jean LeBlanc and Staney Robert Watrous in 1975. A happy, sweet, thoughtful boy, he grew up around Nevada City, California, getting into shenanigans with his brother Robert “Buck” LeBlanc. A self-taught guitarist, song writer, artist, Tai Chi Chuan/Qi Gong practitioner and teacher, Orion had many interests to keep him busy. He was proud of his deep connection with Northern California, and the counterculture that he was raised in. According to Orion “my hippy mother, and the punk rock and reggae music scene I grew up in; influenced me greatly.” He was blessed with a tight friend group growing up, with many adventures on his favorite river, the Yuba.

He moved to Humboldt County in 2001 to attend HSU (now, CalPoly Humboldt) and earned an Environmental Science Degree with Soils and Watershed Management concentration. In 2003 he married Bella Waters and together they raised two boys – Sage Waters and Solan Waters. The family enjoyed visiting rivers, spending time with friends, gardening, their numerous pets (Scotty, Tabby, Akua, Chewy, Cali, Ninji, Mazi, Lulu, Gypsy and Karma, plus some hissing cockroaches), camping, exploring local and national trails and parks and playing music with friends.

Orion was a prolific guitarist and song writer, spending time at the rivers writing new music, coming up with new lyrics and always asking for requests. He and his band, The Illumistics, played a show at HumBrews and Orion even played the North Country Fair with Madi Simmons, which was a highlight of Orion’s life. He started posting original and cocreator music on SoundCloud as “IM Unity.” Orion believed “the only defense against the “System” (Babylon) is our natural IMmune system. The music of IM Unity is meant to boost your resistance to corruption, apathy, group think, depression, brainwashing, and the Babylon BS that is forced on to us through all forms of mass media. It’s about self-preservation, about cultural preservation and revitalization, and about strengthening our resolve and Will in these crucial times.”

Orion was also a prolific artist, always coming up with new designs and names. He liked working with crystals and light, including fiber optic cords. Some of his designs were called “The Light Squid,” “Illumorphictins,” “Amulits” and “Spectrolanterns.”

An amazing linguist, his brain was aways on overdrive with lyrics, art names, band names (which he would shout out and then exclaim – band name! I call it!) , slogans and bumper stickers. He was also a prolific writer, journaling his thoughts, ideas and stories.

Orion helped support his family with his own landscaping companies – the Tai Chi Gardener and Hummingbird Gardening and Landscapes. He loved beautifying yards while also designing landscapes. He enjoyed bringing driftwood, river rock and natural elements into his work and nothing made him happier than helping a homeowner manifest the yard of their dreams. He was particularly fond of projects that have a permaculture, or an environmental aspect to them. He worked with a number of people, including his sons, during his landscaping career.

As an example of Orion’s writing, wordsmith and how he incorporated his many interests into his life was found on his Tai Chi Gardener blog:

I am “The Tai Chi Gardener”. I am here to help you balance the elements of your yard and garden! I call myself the Tai Chi Gardener because I have been practicing Tai Chi for as long as I have been working in the Landscape/ Gardening profession. I have been doing both since 1996, and have come to appreciate how they each have influenced and improved the quality of the other. Patience, focus, intuition, balance, strength, timing, flow, efficiency: these are some of the qualities that I have cultivated over the years, for which I attribute to both my practice of Tai Chi and my experience as a Gardener. For June tasks: Divide crowded perennials and share. Do some deadheading. I hear Further is touring this summer ;) “joke”

Orion is preceded in death by his father Bobby Waters (Staney Robert Watrous). He is survived by his mother Barley Waters (Barbara LeBlanc), brother Buck (Robert) LeBlanc, wife Bella (Rebecca) Waters and sons Sage and Solan Waters. He also leaves behind extended family members, friends, neighbors and loved ones whose lives were enriched by knowing him.

We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming love and support our family has received during this time. Words cannot fully express our gratitude for each and every one of you.

Though Orion’s journey on this earth has ended, the music and love he shared, the beauty and awe he created, and the memories he leaves behind will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday June 12, 2026 at 6 p.m. at Clam Beach. Park in the middle parking lot and head towards the ocean. Family and friends are invited for a potluck to gather, share memories, and honor a man who will be greatly missed. Orion’s ashes will be scattered at his favorite places at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, sympathy cards may be sent to Bella Waters, PO Box 429, Arcata, CA 95518.