Ray Joseph Berard, 97, Bridge City

Ray Joseph Berard, 97, of Bridge City, Texas, passed away on December 6, 2023, in Port Arthur, Texas. Rosary and Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 11, 2023, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Officiating will be Deacon Steve Obernuefemann of St. Henry Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange, Texas. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 11, 2023, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Ray was born on August 25, 1926, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Milton and Edith Comeaux Berard. Ray worked as a clerk for Texaco in Port Arthur, Texas for 34 years before retiring in 1984. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the United States Army Air Forces. Early hobbies were camping and fishing with his family. After getting out of the Army he became interested in guns. He collected and traded many over the years, enjoyed going to the gun range and attending gun shows. He also enjoyed researching the genealogy of his family history through church archives in Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter Judy Marie Berard, his son Don Berard, his parents, his brother Walton Berard, and his father and mother-in-law Edwin and Agnes Bourgeois. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Cecile Bourgeois Berard their children Gary Berard and wife Sylvia of Orangefield, Texas, Laura Blacksher and husband David of Santa Fe, Texas, and Brian Berard and wife Kelly of Highland Village, Texas; his grandchildren, Jarred LaComb and wife Chrissy, Christina Greenway and husband Sam, Melissa Whitford and husband Guy, Derek Blacksher and wife Lindsay, Alyssa Berard and Matthew Berard; 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; along with numerous other loving friends and family. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Serving as pallbearers are Jarred LaComb, Derek Blacksher, Matthew Berard, Sam Greenway, Branden Greenway, and David Blacksher The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Rosefield Court Assisted Living Center and Compassion Care Hospice, especially Elaine and Diana.