The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for L. E. “Stump” Weatherford, 77, of Orange, Texas, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 15, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Reverend Antony Paulose officiating. A burial will follow at Autumn Oaks Cemetery. Immediately following the burial, a meal will be served to all at St. Mary Parish Hall.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with Remembrances at 6:30 p.m. and a Rosary Service to follow at 7:00 p.m. officiated by Deacon David Bonneaux.

Stump passed away on January 11, 2024, with his wife at his side. Stump is a graduate of Athens High School and East Texas State University, now called Texas A&M University at Commerce. Past Council Chairman Lion, L. E. “Stump” Weatherford joined Orange Lions Club in 1975 and served twice as president and on the Orange Lions Club Charity Carnival Committee since that time. He was a member of the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, where he served as Ambassador. He was recently named Citizen of the Year for 2023 by the Chamber. Stump has held many positions in Lionism, including District Governor from 1997 to 1998, Council Chair from 2010 to 2011, District Photographer, and District GLT Coordinator. Lion Stump has attended international conventions, USA Conventions, and State Conventions. Lion Stump is a lifetime member of the Texas Lions Camp, is a Progressive Jack Weich Fellow and a Melvin Jones Fellow, and has received several International President’s Awards. Lion Stump is also a member of Lions of Texas Eye Bank and is the Immediate President. The Orange Lions Club recently named him as the Inaugural Inductee to the Orange Lions Club Hall of Fame, and in December, he was awarded the highest honor in Lions International. Stump and his wife, Dayle, are active members of St. Mary Catholic Church.

Stump is preceded in death by his parents, Loyd and Lou Fern Weatherford; and his first wife, Diane Weatherford.

Stump is survived by his wife, Dayle Gunn-Weatherford; his brother, Bill Weatherford; his nephew, Cory Weatherford; his children, Ashley Babb and husband, Steve, Amy Weatherford and Fraiser, Aaron Weatherford and wife, Carrie, Chris Gunn and wife, Cindy, Lacey DeVille and husband, Ricky, Bridget Toohey and husband, Jet; grandchildren, Lauren, Ethan, Taylor, Lakyn, Dexter, Marianne, Regina, Anthony, Kaycie, and Vinny; and ten great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic School in Orange, Texas, or the Lions Eye Bank at lionseyebankoftexas.org.