Denis Samuel DeCuir, Sr.

April 22, 1916 - September 3, 2017

Denis S. “Dan” DeCuir, Sr., 101, a longtime Port Arthur resident, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2017.  He was a dedicated husband, devoted dad, and friendly neighbor who entered the gates of heaven after living a Christian life for over a century.

Dan was born on April 22, 1916 in Loreauville, Louisiana to Ozaire and Louise Blanchard DeCuir.  After moving to Port Arthur, he worked as a butcher at Plessala's Grocery on 16th Street, Gulfport Shipyard and Gulf Oil where fellow co-workers nicknamed him “Cleco”.  He retired with 30 years of service as a welder.  He was a loyal member of the OCAW local 4-23.

He proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1942 during World War II where he patrolled the southeast Texas beaches on horseback watching out for enemy submarines.  He was also called to serve in the U.S. Army and, because of his butchering skills, was assigned as a cook and again served his country from 1945-1946.

Dan was a charter member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in the Lakeview area. He helped with many activities such as bazaars and benefits over the years. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.

Over his long extended lifetime he enjoyed his rose and lilly gardens, growing tomatoes, biking, grilling bbq, fishing, duck hunting, exercising at the YMCA, watching WWE wrestling and boxing, and following the Houston Astros and Dallas Cowboys. He also loved dancing to zydeco and cajun music.  He was known for cooking a delicious duck gumbo. He even tried his hand at making muskadine wine that he named “Cleco Rose' ” He particularly loved spending time visiting his Cajun relatives in SW Louisiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of nearly 70 years, Eula Hollier DeCuir; his son-in-law, Ted Landry, Jr.; his brothers, Emile DeCuir and Junius DeCuir; and his sister, Rose Louviere.  Survivors left to cherish his memory include his devoted children Geraldine “Gerry” Landry of Humble; Denis “Danny” DeCuir, Jr. and his wife Rosie of Friendswood; and Linda Sue McFadden and husband Murphy of Lumberton.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jeffrey Landry and wife Debra; Richard Landry and wife Bethany; Laurie DeRouen and husband Brent; Brian DeCuir and wife Erin; Stacy McFadden Boullion; Clint DeCuir and wife Melissa; Ashley Valure and husband Ryan; Great-grandchildren Cameron Landry, Zane Landry, Taylor Landry, Braden DeCuir, Bailey Boullion, Drew Boullion, Brodie DeCuir, Case DeCuir, Carson DeCuir.

A gathering of family and friends will take place, Saturday, September 9, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves, funeral services will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be sent to the following who were affected by the devasting storm Hurricane Harvey: St. Joseph Catholic Church 4600 Procter Port Arthur, TX 77642 or Cajun Navy www.louisianacajunnavy.org

The family would like to send out our heartfelt thanks to those who devoted their time to make Dad feel loved and comfortable in his last years:  a caregiver who also became our friend, Donna Halbrook, Harbor Hospice who provided home health, and especially the terrific family at Holland Place Senior Living in Nederland where Dad resided his last three years of life surrounded in love and peace and downright spoiling.  We want to thank owner Cynthia Ward Mitchell and her excellent staff for, not only caring, but treating and loving our dad as if he were their own.