Bonnie “Kay” Adams Pulliam -  NEDERLAND- 

Bonnie “Kay” Adams Pulliam, 64, of Nederland passed away Monday, December 1, 2008 at Christus Hospital St. Mary in Port Arthur surrounded by family and friends. Graveside services will be 11:00 AM Friday, December 5, 2008 at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves with Rev. Kevin Sumler officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 8 PM Thursday at Broussard’s in Nederland. 

Bonnie was born March 7, 1944 in Port Arthur to Melvin E Adams Sr. and Dorothy Moro Adams. She lived in the Port Arthur and Nederland area all of her life. Bonnie retired from the Jefferson County Sheriff Office and also worked for Gulf Oil Corporation in Port Arthur. Bonnie was a member and served as a secretary for the OCAW Local 4-23 in Port Arthur. Through out her life, she had many interest from traveling and riding dirt bikes in her younger days to cooking, craftwork and genealogy in her later years. But during the course of her time with us her most memorable and cherishable devotion was to her friends, family and most of all her grandchildren whom she loved unconditionally. 

Bonnie is survived by her Son, Thomas B. “Trey” Pulliam III and his wife Meredith of Nederland; two daughters, Tammy Kay Price and her husband Kevin of Bridge City, and Dena Sue Rambo and her husband Kenneth Sr. of Vidor; her mother, Dorothy Moro Adams of Nederland; brother, Melvin Adams Jr. of LaBelle; also ten grandchildren, Pamela Mae Roy, Kenneth Rambo Jr. Lance Eitel Jr., Kaylene Rambo, Kara Roy, Kourtney Roy, Easton Pulliam, Kolton Frazier, Emmilee Price, and Amanda Price. Complete and updated information may be viewed at broussardsmortuary.com

Alfred “Butch” Perez

PORT ARTHUR- Alfred “Butch” Perez, born September 19, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas to parents, Cirilo Perez and Margaret Flores Died Saturday, November 1, 2008 at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Port Arthur and a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Butch retired after 25 years as a pipefitter/gauger from Shell Pipeline. He served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967.

Butch’s passion for baseball began at a early age and continued until 1980 or so, ending with the OLG Old-timers Fast Pitch Softball Club. He had the distinct honor to catch one of the games when the King and his Court toured Port Arthur. He coached some of the girl’s softball teams when his daughters played softball. He was a loving, generous father and friend, who was always willing to help in any capacity he could. He will be sorely missed by those who knew him.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves, Texas with a rosary recited at 6:00 P.M. Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Rev. T.R. Blanco and Rev Stephen McCrate concelebrating.

Butch was preceded in death by his father Cirilo, nephew David Perez and brother, Emile “MeMe” Perez. His is survived by his wife of 40 years, Maria Aguilar Perez, daughters, Daphne Perez and husband Jeff Martin and Lacey Perez of Austin, Texas, Ali Blasé Dupuis and husband Kevin of Kingwood, Texas, Grandsons, Gage Perez Peterson, Eli Dupuis, granddaughter, Arianna Dupuis. He is also survived by his mother, Margret Perez, sister Mary, Delores, brother Arthur Perez, all of Port Arthur and numerous nieces and nephews.

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I am reminded of something that happened long ago concerning Butch and me.

It was around 1969 or 70 and we were on the same Fast Pitch Softball team. We were in Austin to play in a tournament.  Upon arriving on a Friday night, not knowing where to go, I joined five other guys in another car to head out to get some beer and see the sights.  Butch was in the back seat with me and another guy I believe sitting between us.

The guy in the right front broke out a "rolled" cigarette, took a puff, and passed it around.  All took a puff then when it was held out to Butch, he said "No".  Then to me, I said "No thanks".  Yes, Butch and I was the only ones to "pass".  The other guys were younger, some right out of high school.

I know of one of the other guys who eventually got into it bad, pretty wife left him taking his kids.  His life became messed up pretty bad.

Guess we were raised better at a time when we respected the law and knew right from wrong.  We played the game for many years thereafter, we knew that taking care of our bodies was very important.

Wayne Taylor

Margaret Marie McDaniel DuCroz

Published March 01, 2008
Margaret Marie DuCroz, 63, of Brazoria died Friday, February 29, 2008, of complications from a lengthy journey with lung cancer. Her loving husband, Charles DuCroz, was by her side.

Margaret was the daughter born September 5, 1944, in Hemphill, Texas, to the late Maggie and Jack McDaniel. Margaret lived in the Brazoria area for 44 years. She had a passion for cooking, bird watching, traveling the world and, most of all, her family.

Her love, courage, wit and determination always will be treasured by her husband, Charles; daughters, Dana Smathers of Argyle, Julie Phillips of Fort Worth, Diana DuCroz of Houston, Deborah Cochran of New Braunfels and Dawn Sherrill of Austin; sister, Mary Jordan of Beaumont; great aunt, Lula Mae Lay of Nacogdoches; and grandchildren, Ryan Rivera, Cullen Cochran, Kayla Cochran, Connor Cochran, Wesley Sherrill and Reagan Sherrill.

In celebration of her life and as a tribute to how she lived it, her family requests that you pay an act of kindness to someone, to share your laughter and to keep on smiling.

Margaret’s family will receive friends on Saturday, March 1, 2008, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Baker Funeral Home in Brazoria.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 2, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Brazoria with Ken Petro officiating.

Interment will follow at the Brazoria Cemetery.

Rick Rives, Mike Cochran, Steve Sherrill, Randy Smathers, Dan Moser and Ryan Rivera will be serving as pallbearers.

Memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society and Hospice Foundation of America will be appreciated.

Arrangements are under the direction of Baker Funeral Home, 118 W. Texas, Brazoria, Texas 77422. (979) 798-2128.

Condolences may be left by signing the Guest Book at www.bakerfuneralhome.net.

John F. Davis

Port Arthur- John Davis, 63, of Port Arthur passed away Sunday Oct 21, 2007 at the Medical Center of Southeast Texas. John was born February 21, 1944 in Port Arthur to Claude and Jessie Davis. He was a lifelong resident of Port Arthur. John worked at Texaco and in later years was head of security at Lamar University of Port Arthur.

A gathering of friends and family will be Tuesday October 23, 2007 from 8-10 AM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home. There will be a graveside service at 10 AM at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

John is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Donna Elliott. He is survived by his wife Julie Davis of Port Arthur, daughters Jennifer Barroeta of Lumberton, Katherine Welch of Groves, the mother of his children Sandra Davis of Beaumont, Brother David Davis of Groves, sisters Joyce Evert of Groves, and Phyllis Lancon of Beaumont, three stepsons Luis Sherlinee Jr., Oscar Sherlinee, and Obed Sherlinee. John is also survived by his grandchildren Jada Belanger, Austin Taylor, and Judith, Michael, and Daniela Barroeta , three step grandchildren James Sherlinee, Megan Sherlinee, Luis Sherlinee III, Diego Sherlinee, and Rosa Elena Sherlinee. 

Cecile Yvonne Burke Bonnette

CECILE YVONNE BURKE BONNETTE, 63, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2007, following a year long battle with pancreatic cancer. She is preceded in death by her parents, Cliff and Iona Burke; her brother, Keith Burke; and her niece, Shena Roshto, all of Port Arthur.Mrs. Bonnette is survived by her husband, Randall Bonnette, of Houston; two daughters, Bonnie Bonnette of Sugar Land and Heather Perez and husband Joaquin of Houston; four young grandchildren, Brittany Norman, Alexander Norman, Liam VanHorn-Bonnette, and Lillie Cecile Perez; and her brother, Cliff Burke, of Port Arthur.

She was a loving and generous wife, mother and grandmother who will be missed terribly by her family. She found great joy in being a wife and mother, but nothing was more special to her than her grandchildren.
Cecile was born on November 19, 1943, in Fort Robinson, Nebraska, where her father was stationed during World War II. The family moved back to its home city of Port Arthur, Texas, after the war concluded.

She moved to Houston, Texas, with her husband and children in 1981, but she always considered Port Arthur to be her home.

She retired in November of 2006 after many years as an educational diagnostician and special education teacher in the Aldine Independent School District. She was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Houston, Texas.

A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, beginning at 5 p.m. at Saint Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, 10135 West Road, Houston, Texas. A Rosary will be held the same evening at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Cypress Fairbanks Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 6 at 10 a.m. She will be interred in Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery in Port Arthur following a Graveside Memorial service that afternoon at 3 p.m.

See online tributes at www.cyfairfunerals.com

Barbara Jo Fontenot Burge

Barbara Jo Burge, 63, of Lake Charles, La. passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2007 at her home. 

She was born on December 8, 1943 to Beatrice Theriot Fontenot and Voorhies (Blackie) Fontenot in Port Arthur. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and was a homemaker. She has been living in the Lake Charles area for the last two years. 

Barbara enjoyed gardening, tending to her Flowers and working on crafts. She was a mom to many and will be missed by all who knew her. 

Visitation will be on Monday evening from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home. Memorial Service will be at 11:00 A. M. Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at Clayton Thompson with Pastor Jerry Snider, officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Clayton Thompson. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Novella Choate. She is survived by her loving companion, Hershell Milligan of Orange, Texas and his children, daughters, Kristie Burge of Lake Charles, La. and Buffie Burge of Brenham, Texas, her sons, Darren W. Burge and his companion, Lisa Hall of Lake Charles, La. and Dustin W. Burge of Port Neches, Texas and four grandchildren and one great Grandchild. She is also survived by her sister, Connie Bourgeois and her husband, Gene of Groves, her brothers, Noson E. Fontenot and his wife, Michele of Bridge City and Cedric J. Fontenot and his wife, Elizabeth of Port Arthur, Texas along with Numerous nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flower donations to the Cameron State Bank, 135 W. McNeese St., Lake Charles, LA in the name of Barbara. 5200 39th St. Groves, TX 77619 (409) 962-8336

(PA NEWS FRONT PAGE HEADLINE, 11-03-2006)  

LOCAL MAN OF MANY HATS DIES

By Amy Moore
The Port Arthur News

PORT ARTHUR— He was a lawyer, an entrepreneur, a presidential appointee, a philanthropist and a published author. Kent Simpson Foster was all of this and more to those who knew him closely. The man of many hats was a lover of life and took advantage of every moment he had to make the most of his time.

Foster, 62, died Monday at his home in Houston. The Port Arthur native graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1962 and spent his life learning all he could about every subject that interested him.  “Once my dad found in interest in something, he jumped in with both feet researching the subject,” said Foster’s daughter, Kenlyn Foster-Spence.

After high school, Foster’s interest was education and he graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with an accounting degree and then pursued more knowledge at Baylor University, where he earned his law degree.  After practicing law in Port Arthur for several years, Foster then enrolled and completed courses in Pepperdine University, Georgetown University, and Tufts University. Foster owned several businesses, including radio stations, television stations, cellphone companies, and even a coffee shop business.

It was in 1988 when David Carmen, a Washington lobbyist and CEO, first met Foster on the presidential campaign for Jack Kemp. Carmen described Foster as being a man who was committed to being active and helping for no reason other than he had a big heart.
“To me, Kent represents the best that Texas has to offer...he was quiet in his presentation, but loud in his actions” said Carmen in a telephone interview Thursday. “I’m really going to miss him,” he added.  Foster was appointed to the United States Customs by President Ronald Reagan, and maintained his position through the presidency of George H. W. Bush.  Foster also worked with OPEC.

Foster’s children remember their father as “married to his work” and a man who never needed an alarm clock.  “If he had an idea in the middle of the night, he’d get up and start researching,” said Foster’s son, Clay.

The humanitarian had a passion for racehorses and jazz music and spent his last few days sharing those passions with his grandchildren. He bought his grandson, Kelson, a saxophone, and his granddaughter, Campbell, a clarinet, hoping to instill in them a piece of himself.

Services for Foster will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, November 4 at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home in Port Arthur. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.

PORT ARTHUR - Kent Simpson Foster, 62, of Port Arthur passed away on Monday, October 30, 2006, in Houston, Texas.

Kent was born on August 21, 1944, in Port Arthur, Texas to Vera Claudine Foster and Halsey Burton Foster. He was a very intelligent young man and had many interests during his childhood, such as being an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1962, attended the University Southern Mississippi and was a member of A.T.O. Fraternity where he once served as president. After graduating with an accounting degree, Kent went to Baylor University. In 1968, he graduated Baylor with a J.D., the same year his daughter Kenlyn was born. 

He practiced law in Port Arthur during which time his son, Clay, was born. Kent’s thirst for knowledge never ended as he attended many schools such as Pepperdine University, Georgetown University and most recently, Tufts in Boston, Massachusetts. He was also known as an entrepreneur, owning several radio stations and telecommunications companies throughout the United States. 

Kent was appointed to many dignitary positions over the years; during the Reagan Administration he served as President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and he was named the first Trade Ombudsman in the U.S. Customs Service in 1991 during the Bush administration.

Kent had many passions in life such as horses which he owned and raced; jazz, gospel and blue grass music and sailing his yacht. He loved to travel all over the world, especially to the Cayman Islands where he held dual citizenship. He was a connoisseur of wines and traveled to the Napa Wine Auction on a yearly basis; he collected stamps, automobiles, art and also boots. Kent was thoughtful, caring and always put others first. He will be missed dearly but will be remembered always.

Services will be conducted at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, November 4, 2006, at Grammier - Oberle Funeral Home in Port Arthur with Rev. Chuck Huffman of the United Methodist Temple officiating. Entombment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves. A gathering of friends and family will take place from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Friday, November 3, 2006, at the funeral home. 

Kent was survived by his daughter, Kenlyn Foster- Spence of Walland, Tennessee; son, Clay Foster and fiancée Merritt Wright of Dublin, California; sister, Sue Foster of Port Arthur; her children Andrew Foster, who took care of his uncle during his final days, Chris Foster and Leighanne Crouch; grandchildren, Kelson Spence and Campbell Spence and one grandchild, who will be named Riley, on the way.

In lieu of flowers “Memorial Contributions” can be made to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 4, Port Neches, TX 77651 or the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486.

For those unable to attend the services “Tributes” can be sent to the family at www.mem.com.

Harry Paul Logan ---- 

Kent was one of the good ones. I occasionally ran into him on the "campaign trail" and on one occasion I recall him telling me he had been appointed as Ombudsman with U.S. Customs by President Reagan. This was a very high level and responsible position within U.S. Customs. 

It was always nice seeing him and no matter where we were in the country, we became two Port Arthur guys, updating each other on old friends and other PA news. 

A great guy who will be missed. Our prayers go out to his family.

James Paul "Jim" Hutchins, Jr., 60, of Port Neches, Texas, died Sunday, August 1, 2004 at his residence. He was born on August 9, 1943 in Taylor, Texas to James Paul Hutchins, Sr. and Marjorie Gambrell Hutchins. 

Mr. Hutchins was a resident of Port Neches for 30 years and had previously lived in Port Arthur. He was a salesman for Sears for over 35 years. He was a longtime member of the United Methodist Temple and Cosmopolitan Lodge #872. He was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. 

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 5, 2004 at the United Methodist Temple with Rev. Chuck Huffman, officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Bluff Memorial Park under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, Texas. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 4, 2004 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Survivors include his wife, Janis Andrus "Jodi" Hutchins of Port Neches, Texas; parents, Marjorie and Paul Hutchins, Sr. of Groves, Texas; one daughter, Dana Murphy and husband, Carl of Ackerman, Mississippi; one brother, Randy Hutchins and wife, Debbie of Port Neches, Texas; two grandchildren, Samantha Murphy and Carly Jo Murphy, both of Ackerman, Mississippi; two nephews, Aaron James Hutchins of Houston, Texas and Caleb Paul Hutchins of Port Neches, Texas. 

Friends wishing may make contributions to the Youth Program at the United Methodist Temple, 4101 Hwy. 73, Port Arthur, Texas 77642. 5601 39th St Groves, Texas 77619 (409)962-4455

Melanie Ann Herring Bielecki, 60, of Evadale, died Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 23, 2004 at E.E. Stringer Funeral Home in Buna with burial and Eastern Star Rites at Antioch Cemetery in Buna. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. 

A native of Pt. Arthur, she had lived in Evadale 35 years. Melanie was a member of the Evadale Chapter #1111 of the Order of Eastern Star. Survivors include her husband, F.A. "Polock" Bielecki, Jr. of Evadale; a son, Tony Bielecki, III and his wife, Leslie of Evadale; two brothers, Joe Herring of Beaumont and Steve Herring of Pt. Arthur; and three grandchildren, Steven Bielecki, Sierra Bielecki, and Alicia Jo Bielecki Yust.

 E.E. Stringer Funeral Home Buna, Texas (409) 994-3646.