Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
DEAR OLD MOM
What I believe is one of the most important days of the year is coming up this Sunday.
It’s Mother’s Day. No one deserves more to have a day of their own named after them than a Mother.
In most cases, no one in your lifetime will help make your load lighter.
A Mother’s love is irreplaceable, her loyalty can always be counted on.
She will help cushion some of the hard knocks.
If you are fortunate enough to still have your Mom you are truly blessed.
Some day when she’s gone you will fully realize how much she really loved you and how that love never wavered.
This Mother’s Day, tell Mom thanks and that you do appreciate her.
To all you mothers from us at The Record, “Happy Mother’s Day.*****I’ve got to get going.
Come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.
REMEMBERING JAMES “CROCODILE” FONTENOT
James Fontenot had been our friend for over 50 years.
He was a proud Cajun who never let anyone forget he was from the “Motherland,” Washington, Louisiana.
James and his family moved to Orange when he was 6-years-old but his roots were important to him.
He attended Catholic school and met and married the prettiest girl in town, Janet Crew, a downtown Orange girl.
They would have been married 61 years in August.
Together they made Orange their home and raised a family.
James was very community conscience and was involved in many endeavors that would improve the quality of life in this area.
He was a people’s person; no one was a stranger for long.
He enjoyed his friends, both in his social circle and on the job.
He retired from DuPont with over 30 years service.
Cooking was his passion; he could talk the lingo of a certified chef.
He was one of a kind.
James passed away Friday, April 29, at age 81.
His body was brought home from Georgetown for services at St. Mary Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 4; at 1 p.m.
Visitation was held at Claybar Funeral Home May 3.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at St. Mary Parish Hall after the burial.
If you ever knew James, you will never forget him.
May he rest in peace.
Our sincere condolences to Janet, family, friends and his 93-year-old brother Ray.
Please see obituary.
CONDOLENCES
We were saddened to learn that Mary Ann Scofield couldn’t outrun the battle with cancer.
She passed away last week at age 69.
She was the twin sister of Rosalie Todaro Clark.
The sisters both married on the same day, at the same time, on August 31, 1969.
Rosalie married Patrick Clark and Mary Ann became the bride of John Scofield.
They had three daughters.
Our condolences to John and the girls and Rosalie and Pat and their families.
Services were held Monday, May 2, at St. Mary Catholic Church.
May she rest in peace.
Please see obituary.
*****Also our sincere condolences to the family of Marjorie Hatton, 91, who passed away April 26.
Services were held May 1 at First Baptist Church in Bridge City.
The longtime school employee was married to the late Frank Hatton, who was from the Hatton pioneer Bridge City area family.
To their sons Frank and Terrell and their families we send our condolences.
May she rest in peace.
See obituary.
TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME
10 Years Ago-2006
The Bridge City UIL math team competed at state competition and came home with the Class 3-A Gold in calculator, the toughest of the competitions according to coach Faye Parish. The team of four include seniors Andrew Havens and Leah Moss and sophomores Nick Robertson and Randy Dupuis.Havens also won the gold individually in calculator.
*****Bob Peeples retired from Lamar State College in Orange after 36 years at the school.
Peeples began his teaching career at what was then known as “Tilley Tech” in the Riverside housing addition.
It didn’t have air conditioning, mosquitoes buzzed around him and the students sweated the summer heat with open windows.
Last week Peeples was named the first Professor Emeritus for Lamar State College-Orange In honor of his years of service.
*****Democratic chairman Marc Carter had back surgery and hopes to recover by state convention time.
(Editor’s note: I’m not sure he’s recovered yet.)*****Constable Parker Thompson had surgery in Houston for an infected graft that was poisoning his system.
His brother Harold reports that “PT” is very ill and remains in ICU. (Editor’s note: Our friend “PT” has since passed away but not forgotten.)*****Hayworth Hudson, 67, died of a heart attack in South Carolina on May 2.
He was a longtime area peace officer.
*****Since hurricane Rita, a few months ago, attorney Sharon Bearden has lost 35 pounds and four inches in the waist.
He is hoping to lose 15 more.
(Editor’s note: Bearden has lost two thousand pounds in his life but always found them.
Not this time however, it’s been 10 years and Bearden is at his high school weight.)*****Gary Platt, a Bridge City boy, has landed the bailiffs job in Judge Troy Johnson’s court. *****Tyler Reves makes Orange County proud.
He is on the Texas Tech baseball team hitting over .300, nine doubles, 10 homers and 44 RBI’s.*****Ron and JeanMoreau will celebrate 37 years of marriage in a few days.
(Editor’s note: Now 47 years have gone by.
I’m sure very interesting years for Jean.)*****Cody and Laurene Knight welcome new son Jonah, who was born Sunday, May 7.
He weighted in at 6 pounds, 1 ounce and was 18 inches long.
(Editor’s note: Time flies, now Jonah is 10 years old and has grown a bunch.)*****Little Cypress-Mauriceville’s Lady Bear pitcher, Cody Trahan struck out 44 batters in 20 innings, as the Bear advanced in Class 4-A Region III quarterfinals.
(Editor's note: Ten years later, we've learned that Cody and Micah Tant have just applied for a marriage license.
Best wishes to the happy couple.) *****GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Mike Hill, 50, of Bridge City died May 5.
He served as an Elder at Fellowship Church of Christ in Orange, worked 27 years as a Mechanical Engineer for Valero and was a member of the Golden Triangle Rose Society.
He is survived by wife Joanne Hill, parents Roy and JewelHill and sons Justin Hill and Andy Hill, daughter Kay Hill, several siblings and their families.
*****Randy Tankersley, 49, of Orangefield, died Saturday, April 29 at his home.
Services were held May 3 at Claybar Funeral Home.
He is survived by his mother Mary Granger, son Justin Tankersley, brothers Michael Tankersley, Robert Tankersley, Raymond Granger, Larry Granger, Todd Granger, Troy Granger, and Pete Granger all of Orangefield.*****Billy Joe “BJ” Campbell, 53, of Deweyville, died Sunday, May 7.
A resident of Deweyville since 1964 and was a retired painter and sandblaster and an Army veteran.
He is survived by Barbara Stout, his mother Pauline Campbell, daughters Ronda Steil, Billie Jo Campbell and Elizabeth Keith and seven grandchildren.*****Raymond Wayne LeDoux, 60, of Orange, died May 6.
Services were held May 9.
He worked for Brookshire Brothers for over 18 years and was an avid golfer and bowler.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Gerrie, father Vernon, daughters Tanya and Michelle, son Ray LeDoux, and their families.*****James “Slugger” Fredrick Freeland III, of Orange, died Sunday, April 30.
He was a former police officer, owner of Maintenance Outsource Construction Company and was a veteran of the United States Army.
He enjoyed boating and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Bridget Kaye, son Bailey Austin, daughter Jada Elise, brother Robert and sister Stacy.*****EnnisMontgomery Jr., 87, of Orange, died Monday, May 1.
Services were held Saturday, May 6.
He was a member of St. Paul Episcopal Church.
Ennis is survived by his sons, William Ennis Montgomery, Robert Wells Montgomery, nephew Dr.
Marty Rutledge and niece Laura Johnston.
40 Years Ago-1976
Mark Dunn covers Austin concert for The Opportunity Valley News.
The show featured Midnight Special’s Wolfman Jack as master of ceremonies for artist Peter Frampton, Gary Wright, Santana and Cecilio and Kapono. Mark also took dozens of pictures backstage.
Mark wrote “Under a clear, blue Austin sky, there couldn’t have been a better way to celebrate the first day of May and life itself.”*****Citizens of the Bridge City School District present Bicentennial program May 7, at Cardinal Stadium.
Over 900 students participated in the salute to America’s 200th birthday.
The program featured various school musical groups depicting America’s past and present in song.
Costume replicas of early America were worn.
John Bell, student council chaplain, Randy Degner, Eagle Scout, BCISD Supt.
Glenn Pearson and Bridge City Mayor P.M. “Red” Wood all spoke.
Over 4,000 people attended.
A FEW HAPPENINGS
Last Sunday, McDonald Memorial Baptist Church celebrated it’s 85th anniversary.
The occasion drew a capacity attendance.
One of the members at the service was Ms.
Pearl Myers Burgess, 95 years of age.
The church was established in 1931, Ms.
Pearl was there on that first day.
She is a charter member and the church’s oldest member.
Her daughter, Beverly and son-in-law Jody Raymer, attended with her.
The food was great and everyone had a good time.
I understand our buddy, “Sleepy” Smith wasn’t there.
I hope he’s doing okay.*****Speaking of doing well, Judge Pete Runnels, mayor of Pinehurst, was having an arteriogram done Tuesday.
He has been having some ticker problems lately.
Hope everything checks out fine.*****Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is not likely to produce another Triple Crown winner.
Trainer Bob Baffort, who has won four Derby’s and was last year’s Triple Crown winner, with American Pharoah, has a high priced, three-year old “Mor Spirit” that is not expected to finish above eight out of the 26 horses.
The fields favorite is “Run Runner,” second, “Nyquist, third, “Exaggerator,” fourth, “Outwork,” and fifth, “Brody’s Cause.” “Creator” is a long shot, listed sixth going in.*****TheWednesday Lunch Bunch is dining at PK’s Grill this week and will be at JB’s Barbeque next week.
Everyone always welcome.*****Monday, Sean Gros flew home from New York where he is stationed with the U.S. Coast Guard.
He says he’s glad to get back to Bridge City.
Ms.
Phyl fixed him Crawfish Etouffee for his first meal.
Boiled crawfish, shrimp, crabs and fish along with boudin balls are what he’s looking forward to the rest of his stay.
On his return he will drive cross-country to San Francisco for two months training and then will be reassigned.
He’s hoping it’s somewhere on the Gulf Coast.
Mom Karen, brothers Collin and Garrett, along with nephew Leland and all the family are planning a great week.*****A few folks we know celebrating their birthday in the next few days.
On May 4, Julia Hoke, Jenna Dismukes and MacAlan Trammell celebrate.
Celebrities having birthdays on this date country singers Raelynn, 22 and Randy Travis, 57 and MichaelJackson’s mother Katherine Jackson, 86.*****On May 5,pretty Bridget Gunn Toohey, daughter of Dayle and the late Buzzie Gunn, marks another birthday.
Also Eziquiel Mendez, Lindsey Dardeau, Butch Myers, Brad Broussard, Susan Spencer and Amanda Dumesnil. They are joined by pop singer Adele, 28 and TV show host Brian Williams, 57.
May 5 is alsoCinco de Mayo and National Day of Prayer.*****On May 6, our buddy, the “Pride of Rayne, LA.,” Mayor Essie Bellfield celebrates.
She would appreciate hearing from her friends.
Art teacher Debbie Gregg, Doris Raynor, Beverly Millsap and Mary and Neal’s boy, Brandon Bond all celebrate.
This would have been the birthday of longtime BC teacher the late Carolyn Bourque.
Celebrities celebrating today are actor George Clooney, 55, football player Jason Witten, 34, rock singer Bob Seger, 71 and world leader Tony Blair, 63.*****On May 7, our longtime friend, former Bridge City educator, Joe Chenella, celebrates.
Joe had a lot to do with the growth of BCISD over the years.
Celebrating also on this day are Josh Sanders and Connie Angelle.
They are joined by Seahawk player and hometown boy, Earl Thomas III, who celebrates number 27 and children’s author Michael Rosen, 70.******May 8, Mother’s Day, also marks the end of the Holocaust in 1945.
Celebrating on this day are Debra Truncale, Ginger Hogden, Patty Cook and Arlon Fields. They are joined by pop singer and Julio’s son, Enrique Iglesias, 41, Little House on the Prairie's Melissa Gilbert, 52 and comedian Don Rickles, 90.*****On May 9, Justin Dupuis is a year older as is Lynn Scales, Doug Havens, Mary Callahan and Trudy Blair.
Celebrities celebrating are rock singer Billy Joel, 67, actors Albert Finney, 80 and Candice Bergen, 70.*****Celebrating on May 10 are Katie Hubbard, Sharon Woolley, Candace Miller, Gerald Taylor, Preslea Thibodeaux and Stacie Dryden. They join rock singer Bono, 56 and Saturday Night Live’s Kenan Thompson.*****Orange native Adam Calliavet has been an avid golfer since the age of 8 years old.
Last Monday, May 2, while playing golf in Corpus Christi where he now lives with wife Shanna and three children, Adam made his first Hole-in-One, using a 7-Iron on a Par 3, 160-yard hole.
Congrats Adam.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK
MacAlan Trammell, Jenna Dismukes, Julia Hoke, Brad Broussard, Matt Williams, Butch Myers, Bridget Toohey, Ricky Zirlott, Lindsey Dardeau, Susan Spencer, Travis Coffey, Amanda Dumesnil, Ashley Eby, Clint Blackwell, Beverly Millsap, Murdock Havard, Deborah Gregg, Doris Raynor, Mayor Essie Bellfield, Brandon Bond, Carolyn Bourque, Josh Sanders, Charles Slusher, Clint Vidrine, Glory Burke, Jessica Hughes, Joseph Chenella, Michael Psencik, Norma Cummings, Sherri Thompson, Caitlin Allen, Connie Angelle, Debra Truncale, Patty Cook, Ginger Hogden, Julie Allensworth, Alan Bates, Arlon Fields, Lee Legate, Doug Havens, C.L. Armstrong, Kevin LaRose, Lynn Scales, Justin Dupuis, Kelly Brown, Ken Reeves, Mary Callahan, Trudy Blair, Anna Hughes, Dalton Gilliam, Janice Wilkinson, Gerald Taylor, Gordon Brown, Jacqueline McGee, James Rogers, Johnnie Mae McKuster, Katie Hubbard, Patricia Williamson, Preslea Thibodeaux, Sharon Woolley, Stacie Dryden, Stacie Teaff, Candace Miller and Chuck Williams.
CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK
Joe Comeaux walks into Tee-Boy’s Bar & Grill wit his dog. Tee-Boy says, “Comeaux, you can’t bring dat dog in here no.”
Joe says, “You don’t understand, dis is no regular dog, he can talk him.”
Tee-Boy answer, “Listen Comeaux, if dis dog can talk, I’ll give you a hundred bucks me.”
Comeaux put his dog on a stool and axe him, “What’s on top of a house?”
“Roof.”
“Right,” said Comeaux, “And wats on da outside of a tree?”
“Bark.”
Comeaux said, “Very good, now who’s the greatest baseball player of all time hanh?”
“Ruth,” said his dog.
“I guess you heard enough,” said Comeaux, “I’ll take da hundred in twenties me.”
Tee-Boy him is furious, “Listen Comeaux, get out of here, you and dat dog, before I belt you me.”
As soon as dey got on da street dem, da dog turns to Comeaux and says, “Do you tink I should have said Dimaggio.”
C’EST TOUT
Saturday was a great day for former County Commissioner Donald Cole, who celebrated his 90th birthday.
Twenty-three relatives drove down from Mississippi which included his three brothers and two sisters.
A private family gumbo gathering numbered over 50 people.
Nearly 200 attended a surprise party held afterwards at the K.C. Hall.
Spending a lot of time with Don was Karen Jo Vance, who said he always took up for her and looked out for her on the Court. Bobby and Doris Simon came from Nederland, Bobby and Don go back to Bobby’s Bridge City police days.
He helped the Coles rebuild after Ike.
Former mayor Kirk Roccaforte and incoming B.C. mayor David Rutledge and wife Becky visited with Don and old friends.
Incoming tax assessor Karen Fisher helped with the serving.
Judy Cole, daughter-in-law, stayed busy as a bee, daughter Mary Alice greeted all the guest and told her dad who each guest was. Don’s eyesight is very weak.
School Board member Thad Hill seemed to know and enjoy visiting most of the guest.
Judge Jimmy Scales and Donna knew everyone in the room.
Donna claims to be sleeping until 11 a.m.
since retiring.
Terry and EllaStuebing stopped by.
Terry said he’d never forget the help Don had given them 36 years ago.
It was nice to see Virgie Moreland. She and her hubby have been traveling a lot since retirement.
She’s as pretty as ever.
Unless he’s using Botox, at age 90, Don still doesn’t have any wrinkles.
Wife Alice says it’s all that good treatment over the last 68 years.
There’s probably a lot of truth to that.
There’s much more but I’ve run out of space.
It was a great party for a great guy.*****If you haven’t voted early in the school board and city races, you can still do so.
Saturday is Election Day. Most people take these local elections for granted.
These are thankless jobs.
A school board member or city councilperson puts in countless hours at no pay, yet they have a big responsibility.
In the case of the BCISD, they deal with over a $20 million annual budget.
The school district is Bridge City’s biggest employer.
A healthy school district is good for everyone, not only the students.
The business community depends on it. The leadership for the city is also very important; they are responsible for maintaining a city we can all be proud of, good roads, good drainage, good city services, including the police department all of those things for fair taxation.
It’s important, please take time to vote.*****I’ve got to shut down.
I’m making reservations to take mom to Peggy’s on the Bayou for Mother’s Day but I plan to eat Mexican food Thursday in honor of Cinco De Mayo Day.
I haven’t decided where I will dine yet, somewhere I can get a Mexican beer with lime and plenty of chips.
Take care and God bless.
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