The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

UVALDE’S FAVORITE SONS

THE TOWN IS GRIEVING

Some people may not be aware that Uvalde has had two favorite sons. John Nance Garner, known as ‘Cactus Jack’ was a U.S. House Speaker and President Franklin Roosevelt’s vice president before falling out with F.D.R. Although he was a force in Washington, he is best known for his observation of the vice presidency. He is supposed to have said, “It wasn’t worth a pitcher of warm spit.” In retirement he often sold pecans from his front porch. On his 95th birthday, he received a call from the President of the United States, on Nov. 22, 1963, from Fort Worth. Maybe the last phone call J.F.K. made before leaving for Dallas. Today, the Garner home is a museum that honors both Garner and Uvalde’s other favorite son, Dolph Briscoe, who served two terms as governor. He was a banker and rancher. Some of the best roads and highways are in that part of the state, all improved while Briscoe was governor. I once met a lady who lived on South St., in Orange, in a house even considered odd for the area, who was John Garner’s cousin. That was over 60 years ago. Maybe some of the old-timers will recall her. Also, nearly 50 years ago, Briscoe and Pete Runnels, who had just been elected Democratic Chairman, bonded at a National Democratic convention and later in Austin Pete was invited to have dinner with him.

THIS TIME THE ‘GUN WON’

The worst school disaster in American history happened in the small Texas town of New London in 1937. A natural gas explosion beneath a school killed 300 students and teachers. That prompted first the Texas Legislature and then Congress to require that natural gas have an odor, so a leak can be detected. That simple reform has saved countless lives. Perhaps the Uvalde tragedy also will prompt change. Today Uvalde is a grieving town with broken families, 19 of their young children and two teachers killed by a semi-automatic assault weapon. This time the “Gun Won” as 19 good guys, law enforcement officers, each with a gun, stood in the hall for an hour while the slaughter of kids went on inside. It wasn’t the shooter these men feared, it was the weapon they feared regardless of who pulled the trigger.

PAUL ROY JR. REMEMBERED

Another from the Greatest Generation has left us. Paul Roy, Jr, age 95, passed away May 25. Funeral services held at St. Henry Catholic Church in Bridge City, June 1, burial at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens on Highway 87, just a short distance from his longtime home on Cow Bayou. Paul and I went back 60 years when we both coached our youngsters in Little League football. I’ve never known any finer people than he and his longtime wife, ‘Nettie.’ Together they raised a great family. The last time I saw him was over a year ago at the store with his caregiver, Dell, a Black woman. I kidded with them about Paul being a good guy and not being biased. He let anyone into his family; not only the Judice bloodline but now he had Bearden great-grandchildren. He had balanced the bloodline out with some Mathews blood. Dell got a kick out of our joshing. Paul told stories about me that he had gotten from one of Nettie’s girlfriends, who knew me as a teenager. I’m so thankful for that last chance meeting with him. God has never made a better man. May he rest in peace. Our condolences to his entire family. Please see obituary.

OUR SYMPATHIES

Leon Carter, age 95, passed away May 24. Funeral services were held last Saturday, May 28. I didn’t know Leon very well but I knew a lot of people who did. They all praised him. I never heard a negative word spoken about this good man. Over the many years I have known several of his relatives, including his late sister Bobbie, his sister Judge Flo Edgerly and son Mark. Leon was known for all his church work as well as his prison ministry. Leon is survived by his wife of 72 years, Billie Don Carter. Our condolences to his family. Please see obituary.

CONDOLENCES

Merrill Avner Stringer, Jr., 84, of Orange, passed away on May 25, 2022, at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 5, 2022, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Brother Lynn Ashcraft. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in Orange. Visitation will be at 12:00 p.m., Sunday, June 5, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Please see obituary.*****Morris Benjamin “M. B.” Slocum, Jr., 75, of Lake Charles, LA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 in a local hospital. Mr. Slocum was born February 25, 1947 in Orange, TX, where he was a 1965 graduate of Stark High School and excelled playing football. His memorial service will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at Trinity Baptist Church – North Venue, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Please see obituary.*****Alice Joy Fisette, passed away May 12, 2022. Heaven received a beautiful angel. Alice Joy was born on January 4, 1945. She was married to Billy W. Fisette for 53 years and she loved him dearly. Please see obituary.***** We were sorry to learn of the death of David Swiere, age 60, who was found deceased at his home in West Orange. He had just been released from the hospital and was under Riceland care. No other information is available. May he rest in peace. 

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

15 Years Ago-2007

The Bridge City Cardinals are playing Jasper for the Regional Championship this Thursday and Friday, 7:00 p.m. at Lamar Beaumont, and Saturday at 4:00 p.m. if necessary. The winner moves on to the state championship.***** The Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce honored Tony Houseman last week with its first ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’ Tony was presented the award last Monday at his residence. It was a complete surprise to him and Giesla. In fact, it was so secret the Chamber didn’t let us know about it. Regardless, it is well deserved. Tony also recently received the ‘Community Builders Award’ from Madison Lodge 126 in Orange. Tony and Giesla Houseman do more to benefit the area than anyone knows. They devote their time and money to a multitude of causes. With the help of God and new medical technology that Tony is serving as a guinea pig for, he is winning the fight against bone cancer. Over the past 10 years Tony has fought the effects of five different types of cancer. (Tony passed away in 2007.)*****Our own Amber Dunn, up in Lubbock, celebrates a birthday on May 30. Amber doesn’t get home much and will be moving to El Paso in July to continue her medical education. Her folks see her only once or twice a year.*****Here’s some great news: The Orangefield Little Dribblers, both senior and major teams, are competing in the National tournament on June 6 through June 9 in Bryan. The last O.F. Dribblers to go to Nationals were the seniors of this year’s state finalist Lady Bobcat basketball team.*****We were saddened to learn about the death of Gardy Rawls, 88, who died May 24. He was the father of Nancy Dupuis and Kenny’s father-in-law. *****The Dallas Sheriff and County Judge are both gay. So is the District Clerk. Dallas, once the most conservative big city in the country, is now home to the largest gay church in the world. A large politically powerful lesbian and gay community has emerged. Dallas has one of the largest concentrations of same-sex couple in the nation. Big haired women and rowdy cowboys replaced by sassy drag queens and strapping gay rodeo champs. I remember when the Bible Belt of Texas was dry from liquor and every man wore cowboy boots and a large western hat. Only John Wayne would prance with a hip swing and South Fork only had one gay brother. Today, kids can’t own a play pistol in Dallas, it’s against the law. No more cowboys and Indians. Have I lived too long?*****Mary Cheney and her lover Heather Poe announced the birth of their new son last week. Samuel David Cheney weighed in at 8 pounds, 6 ounces. Vice-president Dick and Lynn Cheney are the proud grandparents.*****Frieda Birnbaun, 60 years old gave birth to twin boys on May 22 in New Jersey. Jake and Jared each weighed 4 pounds, 11 ounces. Frieda may be the oldest in the United States to give birth to twins. She and husband Ken have been married 38 years and have three other children. The older children are not happy and figure they will end up caring for the twins. ***** Last week, Judge Rodney Price brought his grandson Reed, a great, intelligent young man, to the Wednesday Lunch Bunch gathering. Reed enjoyed all the old folk’s tales and learning some Orange County history. *****On Monday, May 28, 1934, the Dionne quintuples Annette, Cecile, Emilie, Marie and Yvonne were born at the family farm in Ontario Canada. Their birth, 88 years ago, made news around the world.***** On this same day, the Golden Gate Bridge opened. *****The Scotsman Dario Franchitti is on top of the world after winning the Indy 500 Sunday. The race was shortened 34 laps, 415 miles, because of rain. The last Scotsman to win was Jim Clark in 1965. Life ain’t bad for Dario, he gets to sleep with Ashley Judd, his wife, every night. *****Speaking of marriage, our native son, our boy in the Major Leagues, John Patterson is engaged to marry Shannon Schambeau, former Miss D.C. I wonder if she’s Canadian Cajun, without the X on the end. The couple has been an item for a couple of years. Big John is on the Washington Nationals disable list since early May but is expected to be back in the pitching rotation around June 12. (Editor’s note: Big John has since retired and in 2022 lives in the Dallas area.)*****Darryl and Greta Brinson’s eldest son Sean graduated from Deweyville with honors. He received a $10,000 academic scholarship from McNeese. In the fall, he will be on the track team. This will probably lead to a full ride. *****Jethro, who lived off his Uncle Jed’s oil riches in the Beverly Hillbillies in the 1960s, is building a casino in Douglas County, Nevada. Max Baer, Jr. will name it ‘Jethro Bodine’s Beverly Hillbillies Casino and Mansion.’

45 Years Ago-1977

Congrats to Jimmy and Roberta Buntyn on the arrival of Jaime Michelle, born May 15. Jamie weighed in at 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Grandparents are the Robert McFerrins and the Leon Tillers. *****Neal Bond becomes owner of Bridge City Western Auto store on June 1. Neal is also Business Manager for BCISD. Jimmy Hanson, former manager, will go to work for Western Auto in Nederland.*****Jessie Domaine, ‘The Cajun’ organist-vocalist, entertains nightly at the Holiday Inn club. *****On a fishing trip Carl Thibodeaux got so cold, he curled up under the steering console on Richard Corder’s boat and fell asleep. After sleeping awhile a leg cramp hit him and he nearly wrecked the steering system trying to get out of the cubbyhole. His big catch for the day was two fish, total weight 1 pound, 12 ounces. *****A Greyhound busload of Bridge City fans ventured to Waco for the Regional 3 baseball playoff between the Cardinals and Waco Midway. *****Ann Lieby and Kathy Roberts were both under the weather with a virus that is making the rounds. *****Gary Savoy is manager of Orange Mobile Home Center, formerly Ward’s Mobile Homes. *****Teddy Bear Cox and Moe Litton are both on diets. Both are trimming down but don’t look for them to ever be skinny. *****The four Gulf dealers are Kenny Dupuis and L.K. Jarrell in Bridge City, Bill Kendig in Orange and Allen Mott of West Orange. *****Country and Western top singles of the week are: ‘Luckenbock’ (Back to the basics of love) by Waylon Jennings; ‘If We’re Not Back in Love by Monday’ by Merle Haggard; I’d Do It All Over Again’ by Crystal Gayle; ‘I Can’t Help Myself’ by Eddie Rabbit; ‘Some Broken Hearts Never Mend’ by Don Williams; ‘Married But Not to Each Other’ Barbara Mandrell; ‘Your Man Loves You Honey’ by Tom T. Hall; ‘The Rains Came’/’Sugar Coated Love’ by Freddy Fender; ‘It’s a Cowboy Lovin’ Night’ Tonya Tucker and #10 was ‘Burning Memories’ by Mel Tillis. *****Specials at Danny’s West Orange Food Center: Sugar, 5 lb. bag, 39 cents; Rainbow or Sunbeam 11⁄2 lb. loaf, 4 for $1; Ground Beef, lb. 69 cents; Rib eye Steak, lb. $2.58; Lettuce, head 39 cents; Whole Fryers, lb. 45 cents; Beef Short Ribs, lb. 49 cents; Onions, lb. 19 cents.

50 Years Ago-1972

Runoff election results for June 2. Sheriff Buck Patillo, 9150 votes, Max Boatman, 8041. In absentee voting only two votes separated them, 873-871.***Tax Assessor-Collector, open seat, Louvenia Hryhorchuk, 9204, Juanita Jordan, 801. Hryhorchuk was election’s top vote-getter, carrying 19 of the 25 boxes.***Democratic Chairman, Pete Runnels, 9137; James Morris, 7652. Morris was the incumbent. Runnels’ best box was box 19. He received 708, Morris, 270 and only 8 votes separated them in absentee. ***Commissioner, Pct. 1, Casey Peveto, was re-elected, 2156 to Travis Hudson, 1913.*****Liz Wickersham, 17-year-old Stark High student, will represent Orange County in the Miss Texas World pageant held in Houston’s Bush Gardens.*****Bridge City has a new police chief. Wilson Roberts, acting chief, is expected to be named first police chief, replacing Marshall Jim Custer, who got the axe in a 4-1 vote by council.*****Fain Holbrook and Charlie Dyer are managers for Morrow’s Appliances. Fain, at 206 Border, Charlie, 2507 MacArthur. Fain has this weeks quote of the week. “A bit dog always hollers.”*****Buy-Rite Auto Parts has grand opening. Located 1613 Texas Ave., Bridge City.*****LCM coach Jim Crossland has a weekly column in the Opportunity Valley News and a Friday radio show on KOGT.*****Curtis Lee of Lee Texaco, is giving away a 6-pack of bottled coke with each gas fill up. (Minimum of 8 gallons.)*****Lynn’s Sak-N-Pak, 1810 Texas Ave. now selling Borden’s Santa Maria milk, 99 cents a gallon; Bordon’s ice cream, 85 cents ½ gallon; Schlitz beer, $1.29; Regal beer, 99 cents; Fruit of the Loom panty hose, 79 cents.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Jack Dallas broke his own pitching record at Lamar University as he played his last game at Vincent Beck. But baseball wasn't his only concentration in college. He has graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.*****Communications classes at West Orange-Stark High School are going to see a change next year after the retirements of journalism teacher Meri Elen Jacobs and Lacey Gunn Hale, who taught video communications along with commercial photography and animation. Jacobs said she was inspired by her high school journalism teacher Kay Noshari, who was also taught high school journalism to The Record's Margaret Toal. Lacey Hale inherited the Gunn Studio genes from her family. *****Our buddy Tonya Strickland-Barnwell was having a typical day working around in her yard, doing chores, nothing too strenuous. When she came in the house her husband Tommy said, “Your face looks funny.” Jokingly Tonya said, “Is this the first time you’ve noticed?” “No really, smile,” he said. When she did he called 911. She was having a stroke. She spent three weeks in hospital and thankfully is now home. We pray for a complete recovery.*****Our friends Jane and Judge Derry Dunn, before heading to New York to spend a week with one of their children and a new grand baby, picked all their tomatoes and dropped them off at our office. How really nice is that.***** Lanie Brown got a big surprise with a birthday party at the party barn of Brad and Terri Childs during the weekend. Husband Wally and her kids pulled it off as a way of celebrating her 60th. It was an even for elected officials from the cities of Orange and West Orange. Brad Childs won another term to Orange City Council unopposed and Lanie Brown recently won her first term to the West Orange City Council. Attendees included Terri's mom, Dayle Ezell Foreman and West Orange City Councilwoman Meritta Kennedy.***** Lawyer Michael Catt and son Alex scored seats close to the court for the Boston Celtics playoff game in Bean Town. They took in the sights and Alex made the Boston TV news in an interview about the game. They also made a quick jaunt to New York City.***** Bridge City Lock & Key is celebrating 20 years in business.  Billy and Martha Garrett invite you by Friday, June 3rd for hot dogs, door prizes and other festivities from 11 am to 1 pm.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS

A few folks we know celebrating their special day in the next few days. June 1: Happy Birthday to a good guy, West Orange Police Chief Michael Stelly. Also celebrating are Sheila Deason, Rollie Caroner and Joyce Bourdier.*****June 2: Happy Birthday today to Nina Aven, Shilo Carr, Debbie Crew, Kayla Hickey, Miranda McClure, Peter Modica, Jr.*****June 3: A lovely lady, Tanya Thibodeaux- Molley celebrates today. Happy Birthday also to Herman Dupuis, Matthew Jagoe and Harold Trantham.*****June 4: Celebrating today are Barbara Hanneman, Glenn Fisher, Sandra Hoke, Donna Rogers, Paige Ousley and Jade Ousley. Our friend “Neighbor Cox” died on this day two years ago in 2020. We sure miss him.*****June 5: A lot of great folks we know celebrate on this day, considered the perfect Gemini, right in the middle of the sign. A year older on this day Tim Hughes, our buddy Joyce Dowdle, ententainer, as good as any, who made the big time, talented Britt Godwin and Happy Birthday to our boss Roy Dunn, who has held it all together for all these many years. Also celebrating are Carrie Prouse, Matt Ortego, Trey Wild, Chris Andes, Gena Guyote, Brenda Howard, Patricia Mires, Karen McDugg, Lindi Torson and Mary Jennings.*****June 6: This is D-Day-1944. Those celebrating birthdays today are Sonia Smith, Shawn Knight, Lynn Fields, Gail Griffith, Lorrie LeBlanc, Linda Sims and Ryan Gunstream.*****June 7: Our friend who had disappeared, Shirley Zimmerman, celebrates today. We wish her a great day wherever she is. Also Happy Birthday to Billy Frank Bradberry, Penny Robards, Logan Smith and Richard Granger. Notice: If you or someone you know are celebrating a birthday or anniversary email HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]. or give us a call at 409-735-5305.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Joe Dartez him, done turned into a pure drunk, drinking morning, day and night. Everybody in Breaux Bridge was worried bout’ him drinking so much. Everybody talk to him bout’ it but they can’t get him to slow down. Da priest, Fatter Broussard him, said he would talk to Joe, so he looked him up at da Corner Bar. Fatter Broussard gave him a strong lecture and said, “Joe, if you keep on drinking as much as you do, you will start to gradually get smaller and smaller. Before long, you will turn into a mouse.”

Dat scared Ol’ Dartez, he was really frightened about dat. When Joe went home dat night, he told his wife Agnes, “Honey, if you notice me starting to get smaller and smaller, will you please kill dat cat.”

 C’EST TOUT

Hope To See You There

Top Deck Flooring Company’s Grand Opening celebration is this Saturday, June 4th from 10 am to 2 pm with food trucks, door prizes and giveaways at their location at 1000 S. Ashland, off I-10 East. Go out and see Orange County’s newest premier flooring center and all they have to offer along with the new Contractor Store Front. J.W. Dalton and Gang are going all out to put on a great day.*****My time is up. Thanks for yours. Take care and God bless.