The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

JIMBO FISHER-GONE FROM AGGIELAND

Texas A&M to spend more than $75 million to fire football coach Jimbo Fisher.

Texas A&M University fired head football coach Jimbo Fisher on Sunday, committing itself to spend more than $75 million to buy out his contract and announcing a national search for his replacement. Although the decision was announced on Sunday, one day after the Aggies trounced Mississippi State, 51-10, On the same day, Athletic Director Bjork delivered the news to Fisher in what he described as a “quick and cordial” exchange. The players also learned the news in a meeting Sunday morning. The $75 million the university will owe Fisher to buy out his contract is the most money ever owed to a football coach. Bjork said details of the contract buyout were being worked out but that what is owed to Fisher would be paid with donor dollars from the school’s 12th Man Foundation and athletic department funds. University administrators stunned the college football world when they announced the 10-year, $75M contract in 2017 that lured Fisher away from Florida State University. The deal was staggering for both its duration and its guaranteed annual pay. In 2021, the board extended the contract by four years after reports that Fisher might leave A&M for Louisiana State University. Under that extension, Fisher made $9 million annually. A&M Assistant Coach Elijah Robinson has been named the team’s interim head coach for the final two games of the season: Abilene Christian University on Nov. 18 and Louisiana State University on Nov. 25.

A NOTE FROM BEVERLY PARKER

Beverly says Sen. Carl Parker is in St. E’s suffering from a blood infection and is scheduled to continue with IV antibiotics for at least 2 or 3 more weeks. She says he’s a pretty good patient as long as the food is ok and he can watch football and if UT wins. He has lots of things he has thought of to write about, from hospital experiences to political statements. Att. Sharon Bearden wants Carl to know he is his favorite column writer. Carl was always very popular in Orange County and the county benefits greatly today because of his accomplishments in the Texas Senate. One great example is Lamar Orange. We look forward to his recovery and his column returning soon.

CONDOLENCES

Larry ‘Wayne’ Choate, 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 6, 2023, at The Harbor Hospice Home in Beaumont, Texas. Larry was born on December 25th, 1936, in New Iberia, Louisiana, to Alphonse Harry Choate and Hilda Mae Meaux- Choate. Larry then later moved to Prairie View, now Bridge City, Texas. He was a graduate of Stark High class of 1955. Larry was a retired Air Force Military Police and is a standing member of the Iron Workers Local 125-135. Larry is survived by his son Narry Wayne Choate, of wife Novella Fontenot-Choate, grandson Colby Narry Wayne Choate, granddaughter Landry Renee Choate and great granddaughter Raegan Lynn Choate, brother Robert ‘Al’ Choate, stepchildren from Novella Fontenot-Choate, Neville Thomas, Neal Hargrave, Nardis Bodenheimer, Nicole ‘Nikki’ Glass, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Wayne was a good guy and will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him. May he rest in peace.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2013

Three Orange County teams are headed to the playoffs. The L.C.-M Bears are headed to 4A playoffs. Good luck to Coach Randy Crouch and his gang of Bears. *****The W.O.-S Mustangs of Coach Cornell Thompson will face Huffman-Hargrave at Barbers Hill on Thursday, 7 p.m.*****Coach Josh Smalley and his Orangefield Bobcats will battle Coldspring Friday at Huffman, 7:30 p.m. *****From Dist. 21-3A, taking on 22-3A Liberty, is Coach Dwayne “Beaver“ DuBois and his Hardin Jefferson Hawks Thursday, 7 p.m. at the Thomas Center in Beaumont. Note of interest Smalley and Dubois are both graduates and former Bridge City players. *****Congrats to Tommy Gunn for receiving the 2013 “Pro-bono, Out of County” award from the Jefferson County Bar Association. Gunn is in the program which provides free legal service to indigent people. We’ve been publishing Tommy’s accomplishments since he was a law student at Baylor. Marilou always kept us informed about her boy. Tommy’s done well and we’re proud of him.

22 Years Ago-2001

Only one Orange County football team, the Bridge City Cardinals, made the playoffs. They will meet Liberty Friday at Lamar Stadium in Beaumont. A pep rally will be held Thursday, 6 p.m., at Wal-Mart on B.C. Dayle Gunn will present the Buzzie Gunn Trophy to the Cards for defeating the Orangefield Bobcats 24-0. The playoff bound Cardinals were held to a scoreless first half. Aaron Williams and the Bobcats held a powerful B.C. team to a total of 57 yards in the first half. Williams, a junior set a new school record with 121 tackles in just seven games. During the 2001 season, in the second half, Bridge City came alive as running back Matt Peebles and Dwayne Breaux blew past the Bobcat defenders. Junior quarterback Jamey Knight, who even kicked a field goal, fed the ball to Peebles, Breaux, Lance Fitts and Luther Sanders and a sensational sophomore speedster Michael Gauthier. (Editor’s note: Gauthier went on to become a state championship sprinter. The Cards were loaded with talent while the Bobcats were rebuilding.)***** Someone stole Charlie Wickersham’s Rolls Royce, a 1987 black Corniche II. Less than 50 are in the entire country. Charlie is offering a $5,000 reward for the return of his $150,000 Rolls. It was uninsured. Word has it that C. Delle Bates ran out and got his Porsche insured.*****If you sometimes think you got a raw deal think about U.T. Longhorn quarterback Major Applewhite, owner of 40 Longhorn records, who was politicked right out of his starting Q.B. job. He has been replaced by Simms. *****Cal Broussard has moved into this Cow Bayou home that he has totally remodeled. He bought the home from Mr. and Mrs. Cleon Hogan. (Editor’s note: Cal loved the place but didn’t get to enjoy it very long before he was called home.)***** Condolences to the family of those who left us. Hilma Condrey Burleigh, 83, died Nov. 15. ***Curtis Neal Hudson, 76, of McLewis, died Nov. 18. ***Bobby “Seabob” Manning, 81, passed away Nov. 18. He was a W.W.II and Korean Army vet. He received four bronze stars and the Purple Heart. He was a retired boilermaker. ***Robert Merritt, Jr., 40, died Nov. 18. ***Joyce Juanita Taylor, 80, of Orange, died Nov. 12. ***Lucy A. Deming, 62, of Mauriceville, died Wednesday, Nov. 14.

47 Years Ago-1976

The Greater Orange Area Chamber installation banquet has been stepped up from January to December. Bill Sichko will replace Jim Graves as president. R.J. Conway and Louise Mayberry will become vice-presidents. Dr. W.C. Mayberry, professor at STU at San Marcus will be the featured speaker.*****Former Bridge City and Lamar football player Lanston Fall will take a bride on Nov. 26.*****Having birthdays are Allen Dunn, Carey Green, Mildred Alborn and Bo Bounds.*****Aaron Segura, a young son of Tommy and Becky, has been visiting grandparents Ann and Jimmy Segura for the past three weeks.*****Leo Welch, of 406 12th St., in Orange, was the winner of a car given away in a drawing at Hughes Market Basket in Bridge City. Denise Lormand, Miss Bridge City, drew the winning ticket. *****Bridge City Chamber is seeking nominations for the Person of the Year. Former recipient Albert Gore is chairman of the selection committee with members Bubba Hubbard, 1970 winner, Glen Pearson, 1972 winner, Gus Garza, 1973, Preston Wood, 1974, and George Bess, 1974 winner.*****Congrats to Chuck Majors who was selected in the blue Key National Men’s Honor Fraternity. The Lamar student is the son of Dr. Joe and Mary Majors.****Mark Dunn is the latest to join the fad of restoring old houses. He purchased a house on Cherry St. built in the late 1800’s. It’s one of four houses, built on the Sabine River, which withstood the big storm of early 1900’s. It was moved to 1106 Cherry.*****New Bridge City Rotary members are Chapman Bell, Bobby Cormier, Jim Moss, Bill Nacol and C.H. Guidry.*****Bubba Hubbard recently was a guest at the London England Rotary Club.*****Dr. David and Barbara Olson were in Las Vegas last week attending a dental society convention.*****James and Jeanne Wood, high school teachers, are going to spend Thanksgiving in Mexico City.*****The B.C. Fire Department elects new officers; Richard Solomon, re-elected fire chief; David Riley, assistant chief; John Echols, Leroy Breaux and Larry Callahan, truck captains; Donald Landry, secretary, Steve Higgs, treasurer.*****B.C. Cardinals Singers are: J.D. Nezat, Kirk Ellender, Chris Lee, Melissa Clark, Jane Nezat, Jill Baker, Beth Burleson, Ross Talmadge, Suzanne Garrison, Cindy Adams, Linda Minner, Gerry Gore, Mitch Dionne and Renita Wallace.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Last week we heard from Pat Pate., who is now living in Tyler She moved there to be near her sister who then married and moved away. Pat says she is doing fine and enjoying new friends. She is riding motorcycles, learning to shoot a gun and has a new conservative friend. That’s a change after living with a Yellow Dog Democrat all those years. H.D. has been gone six years. That’s hard to believe. Pat asked about Judge Pat and Rosalie Clark. She keeps up with our area through our website.***** Nobody's gonna rain on Miz Lu's rodeo. Even with cold drizzly rain, everybody had another great time at the annual Special Angels Rodeo with adaptive sports and activities for children, youth and adults to have a real rodeo experience. The Harris family of Farmers Mercantile organized the event in honor of mother Lu Harris, who had dreamed of such an event. It's been held since its beginning at the T-2 covered arena, so the rain didn't affect activities. Jo Harris organized the first rodeo and now has a team of volunteers and sponsors helping with the event. Janois Grizzaffi was one of those volunteers and was helping kids with unique ride. A bucking ride had been made with a life-size alligator figure. Of course there were bucking "bulls," too. And a bucking barrel from which riders tried to lasso a model of bull horns. Dayle Gunn Weatherford had her Orange Blossoms dance group there performing line dances. Volunteers and guests soon were line dancing, too. Judge Chad Jenkins was manning a grill. He's one of the best cooks around. Constable Matt Ortego was seen with Constable Lannie Claybar. Sheriff Jimmy Lane Mooney made the rodeo and a campaign meet-and-greet held up the road in Mauriceville that same day. Rodney and Dr. Amy Townsend were lending a hand to the activities.*****I spoke with Danny Brack who told me he and Sherry are doing ok. Sherry is now cancer free. I was surprised to learn he still goes to the Western Ave. store daily. They took my wheels away months ago and I’m stranded. ***** Bridge City Chamber Director Mandy Lyda held another successful Designer Purse Bingo fundraiser. The one last week had a theme of 'Roaring Twenties' and a number of the women attending came in flapper outfits. The bingo games have designer purses as prizes and this one was held at the Orange County Expo Center. Expect another one in the spring.*****Michelle Tubbleville and her crew are ready for this Thursday's Taste of the Holidays at the Expo Center from 5 to 7 p.m. Michelle is the head of Orange County's Disaster Rebuild program to help people without insurance and money fix their residences that were damaged by a hurricane, tornado, flood, or even wildfire. The annual event features local restaurants and caterers showing off their holiday cooking skills with samples. Only a limited number of tickets are being sold. Call 409-745-9719 during business hours to check if tickets are available.*****Michael and Angelique Catt took off for a vacay in Las Vegas. Don't know what they did. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.*****Randy and Paula Ragsdale hopped another cruise out of Galveston.*****Girlfriends Kathy Gunn, Patti Cloeren, Martha Oliver, and Becky Hunter had a girls trip to the Woodlands. Heard there may have been a margarita or two consumed.*****The fundraising Southeast Texas Cattle Barons Ball in Beaumont drew several from Orange County including Dyan Morris, Lori and Joel Ardoin, Matt and Brittany Chandler, Heather Costello, Jimmy and Aracely Plascencia.*****Steve and Gail Maddox are still touring Europe, but they have been proud of their son, Robb Maddox, who has been promoted to chief in the U.S. Coast Guard.*****We were horrified to read the story about Orange's Earl Thomas III having his identification stolen by the companion of his ex-wife in New Orleans. According to NOLA.com, Thomas had some $1.9 million, or more taken from bank accounts and NFL checks, plus titles of luxury cars changed to the name of the other man. Police said 38-year-old Kevin J.Thompson has been arrested. At his arrest, he had been driving a Rolls Royce that belonged to Earl. We know Earl has some good wheels, though. Our friends at Roberts Ford here in Orange sold him a 2019 Ford F-150 the day after the story broke.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS

Folks we know celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in the coming week. Nov. 15: Judie Wilson, Julian Oceguera, Cynthia Graham, Julie Smith, Stuart Bertles, Kelli Peery, Lindsey Franklin, Nikki Courtney, Shane Preston, Travis Sheppard, Wade Barron, Wally Sieck, Chris Ford, Cora Betzen, Elton Myers, Madison Miller. *****Nov. 16: Dr. Servet Satir, Thad Angelle, Clarissa Cortez, Amaris Brown, Allene Manuel, Mary Loyd, Pete Gresham, Rebecca Collins, Bryson McFarland, Chris Byers, RaeAnna Todora, Dyanna Sandlin.*****Nov. 17: Reba Eddins, Martha Foley,  Laurie Kosh, Nancy Aycock, Barbara Musser, Chuck Kirby, Katy Taylor*****Nov. 18: Theresa Evans, Lyndsie Neie, Melanie Claybar, Bryan Garrett, Leroy Gomez, Mickey Smith, Sam Thomas, Tim Bayliss, Aimee Huckabay, James Cornell, Kevin LeCourtere, Jonathan Vogt, Justin McCullough, Stephanie Williams,*****Nov. 19:  Kristina Denman,  Meagan McGill, Linda Klein, Liz Harris, Patty Burke, Shelly Ford, Trina Stringer, Veronica Smith, Ann Miller, Ben Carpenter, Cecil Allen, Brandon Swarers, Joe Permar, Murray Moreland*****Nov. 20: Allen Dunn, Carey Green, Edgar Eschbach, Sunni Ocebuera,  Lon Hubbard, Jan Briggs. Hayden Clark, Kevin Phillips, Whitney Mott, Jim Pruter.*****Nov. 21: Butch Campbell, Jason LeLeux, Tabatha Force, Adam Schisler, David Heyduck, Bart Williams.***** Birthdays this past week included longtime Republican Patricia Kemp, who turned 75. 'First Lady' of Orange Trisha James Spears also had a birthday. Others celebrating included former Pinehurst police chief Fred Hanauer, Brian Wickham, Judy Tuter,  Cathy Splawn, Ethan Smith, Lauren Purgahn, Kristlynn Jack, Rachel Belcher, Eric Rushing, and Brittany Williams. Happy Birthday to all.***** Anniversaries celebrated: Carly and J.T. Thibodeaux celebrated their 20th anniversary with a trip to Broken Bow, Oklahoma..***Josh and Sally Peveto returned from a trip to Colorado for their 20th anniversary of the first day. Sally came home to face more cancer treatments.***Ross and Eva Smith had their 40th anniversary and Ross sent her a bouquet of 40 roses of different colors.***Clint and Phyllis Fregia had No. 31 anniversary, and also celebrating an anniversary were Clint and Brandi Beard, along with David and Amy Worsham.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Joe Primeaux and Curtis Comeaux were having a barbecue sandwish and a couple of beers at Tee-Boy’s Bar & Grill when Primeaux said, “Curtis, yesterday was my eighty-two birthday.”

“Da hell you say,” Comeaux answer. Den he axe, “Wat did Clotele give you for you birthday hanh?”

“Well, my little women gave me an SUV her.” say Primeaux.

Comeaux say, “Keyaw!” “Mais, dats amazing! Imagine dat, an SUV, wat a great gift dat is!”

Primeaux say, “Yup, she gave me socks, underwear and Viagra.”

C’EST TOUT

Four score and seven years ago, November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln gave his Gettysburg address, using “four score and seven years ago” as the reference to when our nation was born in 1776. It’s been 160 years since that historical address. Two years later the Civil War between the states ended and Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. It’s always been surprising to me how popular Lincoln is in the South since he was the one that freed the slaves and ended slavery in the United States. On the other hand, LBJ doesn’t enjoy the same popularity for signing the Civil Rights Act. Johnson however is credited with changing the voting pattern in the South. Before the Civil Rights Act, the South and Texas were solidly Democratic states. Abe changed the country, Lyndon changed the South.*****Last week, for the first time in several years, we ran a full 24-hours late putting out The Penny Record and The County Record. A total major press breakdown prevented us from publishing Wednesday. We were on the streets early Thursday and apologize for any inconvenience.*****My time is up for now. Check us on line at therecordlive.com. Take care and God bless.