Joshua Helms
Joshua Helms, 36, was born on April 12, 1980 and passed away on February 9, 2017. He was a native of Port O’Connor, TX and a resident of Choctaw, LA.
Religious services were held at Thibodaux Funeral Home on Monday, February 27, 2017. Interment followed in St. James Chapel Cemetery in Choctaw, LA.
He is survived by his wife, Mandy Helms; daughter, Kortnee Helms; parents, Dale & Diana Helms; siblings, Lenard “T-Dale” Helms, Jeremy Helms, Cornella Kraemer, and Denise Richard; and grandmother, Maurine Ricouard.
He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Elmer Ricouard; and grandparents, Vernon & Ida Helms.
Josh was a devoted father, husband, son, godfather, uncle, and friend. He absolutely adored his little girl, and she and her mother were the center of his universe. He loved fishing, football, family, and friends. Josh left a lasting impression on all those who had the honor of knowing him.
Richard Dale Hindman
It is with a heavy heart we announce that Port O’Connor has lost another longtime resident.
Richard Dale Hindman, Sr. (Capt. Dick) passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday evening, March 7.
He was born in East St. Louis, Illinois on May 24, 1934.
Capt. Dick has lived in Port O’Connor for 45 years.
He was an avid sportsman and fisherman. He loved our little community and lived a simple life that many folks would envy.
Dick was a unique individual with a one of a kind philosophy on life. Those that knew him will remember his fantastic dry sense of humor and his giving spirit. He will be greatly missed. A full obituary will be posted at a later date.
A memorial service celebrating his life is being planned and will be held here in Port O’Connor in the near future. The time, location and date will be announced when the plans have been finalized.
Our deepest condolences to Capt. Dick Hindman’s family and friends at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
-Submitted by Nancy Pomykal
Earl Douglas ‘Jack’ Phillips Jr.
Seadrift – Earl D. ‘Jack’ Phillips, Jr. 88, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. He was born in Shreveport, LA on August 17, 1928 to the late Earl Douglas and Thelma Phillips, Sr.
Jack served in the United States Navy during WWII.
He is survived by his daughters, Alice Ann (Eddy) Granger and Judy Butler; grandchildren Stacey (Gayland) Lee, Spencer (Carmen) Granger, Heather (Benny) Vasquez, Chris Phillips, Lacey (Trevor) Hull and Lindsey (Marshall) Fenton; great grandchildren Megan Moreman, Shelby Moreman, Owen Hull and Brooklynn Vasquez and great great grandchild Lucas Phillips.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Ida Ann Morgenroth Phillips; son Earl Douglas ‘Jackie’ Phillips, III.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Grace Funeral Chapel with Pastor John Fisher officiating. Interment followed at Seadrift Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Joe Beaver, David Blevins, Lynn Carter, Jimmy Davenport, Wesley Blevins and Jimmy Nunez.
Honorary Pallbearers were Eddie Ray Cady, Russell Cady, Marty Dworaczyk, Tommy Henderson, Bobby Henson and Bobby Key.
Memorial donations may be made to Seadrift Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 181, Seadrift, TX 77983.
Condolences and memories can be shared online to www.gracefuneralhome.net.
Marilyn Yvonne Bratcher
Austin – Marilyn Yvonne Bratcher (formally Mrs. Parsons), 86, of Austin, Texas, left this earth on February 23rd, 2017. She was born July 19th, 1930, in Waxahachie, Texas.
Marilyn was employed by Calhoun County Independent Schhol District in 1969. As an educator in CCISD, she taught history and psychology at Calhoun High School, followed by a move to the District Office in 1979 to become Coordinator of Secondary Education.
In 1985 she accepted the position of Principal at Port O’Connor Elementary School, and in her words, felt she had “died and gone to heaven”.
In the course of her time as Principal at POC Elementary, the school received numerous designations and awards, including: 5-Star School by Texas Monthly, Performance Award from Texas Education Agency, Distinguished Performance Campus by Region III Education Service Center, Exemplary Campus 1999-2003, Texas Elementary Principal’s and Supervisor’s Award, Outstanding Leadership Award, Texas Award for Successful Schools given by then Governor Ann Richards, a performance grant awarded by Commissioner of Education, Commitment to Excellence and Educational Achievement, and an “Educational Revolution” award by Texas Co-op Power.
Her greatest joy as an educator was in finding a way to “reach each individual child”. In a newspaper interview while at POC Elementary, she said, “The best teacher is always still the best student. Unless we can see the joy of learning new ideas, new practices or concepts, we cannot possibly hope to inspire others to learn. The key to being an inspired leader in the classroom is to be able to communicate the joy of growing and learning as a person.”
She is survived by daughter, Tami Bone and her husband, Barry, of Round Top, Texas, and grandchildren – Bryan, Michael (Kiley Johnson) and Brea Bone – and great-granddaughter Tala, brother Austin Bratcher (Sandra) of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, brother Scott Bratcher (Mary Ann), of Phoenix, Arizonia, and aunt Shirley Bratcher Knight of Fort Worth, Texas, as well as dear cousins, nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her beloved dog, Venus.
Her family is planning a private celebration of her life, and at her request will spread her ashes at the places she loved most.
Memorial donations can be made to the Calhoun County Humane Society, PO Box 1505, Port Lavaca, Texas, 77979, or online at http://www.calhouncountyhumanesociety.org – in memory of Marilyn Bratcher.
Frank Martinez, Jr.
Seadrift – Frank Martinez, Jr., age 69 of Seadrift passed away Sunday, February 19, 2017. He was born June 26, 1947 in Driscoll, Texas to Eleuteria Gomez Martinez of Victoria and the late Francisco Martinez, Sr.
He is survived by his sons; Frank Martinez III of Victoria, Christopher Lee Martinez and Kevin Ryan Martinez both of Seadrift, Amelia Martinez of Victoria, mother of his children, sisters; Emilea Pendergrass, Mary (Julio) Morales of Seadrift, Frances Martinez, Gavina Martinez, Maria (Ricky) Navarro, Esther Martinez of Victoria, Rachel Martinez of Port Lavaca, brothers; Johnny Martinez of Victoria, Julian Martinez of Seadrift, Thomas (Tonie) Martinez of Port Lavaca.
He is preceded in death by his father, brothers; Jesse Martinez Sr., and Oscar Martinez.
A funeral mass was celebrated on February 24 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Seadrift by Father Scott. Burial followed at Seadrift Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Kevin Martinez, Julio Morales Jr., Jimmy Morales, Johnny Martinez, Julian Martinez, and Jesse Martinez Jr. Honorary Pallbearers were Thomas Martinez, and Ida Heysquiero.
Evelyn Augusta Clark
Corpus Christi, Texas – Evelyn Augusta Clark, 74 passed away March 2, 2017. She was born July 9. 1942 in Port Lavaca, Texas to Fred and Rachel Carter Beaver.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gary Clark; sisters, Vivian Sprague and Vandeline Whittenburtt.
She is survived by her children, Arthur C. Smith, Jr. (Gloria Jean) of Seadrift, Texas, Shelia Gianotti (Scott) of Corpus Christi, Texas and Dwayne Allen Clark (Melissa Peros) of Rockport, Texas; brother, Joseph Stanley Beaver (Mary Ethel) of Seadrift, Texas; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great-grandchildren.
The family will have a memorial service at 11a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the Old Seadrift Cemetery in Seadrift, Texas. Online condolences may be made at www.charliemarshallfuneralhomes.com
Roy A. Apostolo
Victoria – Roy A. Apostolo, Sr. 76, of Victoria, passed away February 16, 2017. Roy was born September 27, 1940 in Port O’Connor to the late Alexander and Matilda Ragusin Apostolo. Roy retired from Alcoa after 31 years of working in the powerhouse as an operator. Roy enjoyed fishing, gardening, loved going to the movies and traveling with his wife.
Roy is survived by his wife of 31 years, Mary Alice Garza Apostolo; son, Roy Allen Apostolo Jr and wife, Lisa of Lavernia; daughter, Terri Apostolo West of Odessa; brother, Frank Apostolo of Baytown; 5 grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents; son, Marcus Allen Apostolo; sisters, Ruby Zafereo, Stella Lewis; brothers, Alexander, Henry, Tony, Earl Joe ‘EJ’, James and Paul Apostolo.
Following a public visitation on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Rosewood Funeral Chapels, a graveside service was held at Resurrection Cemetery with full military honors under the auspices of the Victoria County Veterans Council.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com
Ruby Marie Frazier
Kenedy – Ruby Marie Frazier, 88, formerly of Port O’Connor, died Sunday, March 5, 2017 in Kenedy, Texas.
The Mass of Christian Burial was conducted on March 9, 2017, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, TX. Interment followed at the Kenedy Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to John Paul II Nursing Home, 209 South 3rd St., Kenedy, TX 78119.
For more information, you can go to: www.rhodesfuneralhomeinc.com
Agnes Belle Crosier
Cade, La – Agnes Belle Pendergrass Crosier, formerly of Seadrift passed away March 4, 2017.
Graveside services were held Thursday, March 9, 2017 at Seadrift Cemetery.
