Royce Paul LeMaire

April 2, 1930 - October 10, 2014

Royce Paul LeMaire passed away Friday, October 10, 2014 after a long illness. Royce was born in Kaplan, Louisiana to David and Olita LeMaire. Over the next 84 years Royce lived a varied, active and full life. He wanted to help his country in World War II and enlisted in the U.S. Army as a high school sophomore in 1946. He was sent to Japan and proudly assisted in the Occupation and reconstruction. After his discharge he came home and resumed his high school studies and athletics at Kaplan High School. An outstanding athlete, Royce earned all state honors in football and basketball and formed many life-long friendships with his teammates. By the early 1950's Royce had married Audrey LeBlanc and moved to Groves, Texas to work at the Gulf Oil Refinery retiring from Chevron. He would spend the next 34 years at the plant becoming Maintenance Supervisor but his love was spending time with his family and friends. Royce and Audrey had a large circle of family and friends to share activities. He loved to hunt and fish in the woods, bayous and lakes of Southeast Texas, often acting as a guide for others. He loved to cook Cajun food and often would be asked to cook a pot of gumbo during election season for aspiring candidates. Royce was equally proud of his garden and would gladly offer his vegetables to others. He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Groves and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. Royce and Audrey raised four children and they were the center of his life. He is lovingly remembered and survived by his wife of 64 years, Audrey LeMaire, of Nederland, TX; daughter Christine LeMaire and granddaughter Gigi LeMaire of Los Angeles, CA; son David LeMaire and his wife Jolene and grandson David LeMaire of Nederland, TX and great granddaughter Alexis LeMaire of Groves; daughter Phyllis Woodford and her husband Duncan of Nederland, TX; son Kirk LeMaire of Austin, TX; sister Irene Broussard of Meaux, LA; brother Deral LeMaire of Beaumont, TX and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, a brother and a granddaughter, Alison LeMaire. Visitation will be on Monday, October 13, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home with a Rosary to be prayed at 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St. Peter Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter, 6055 South Loop E. Houston, TX 77087.