Clifford “Dutch” Barbay of Port Arthur peacefully passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas, surrounded by loved ones.
Born in 1937 in Port Arthur to Ruth and Roy L. Barbay Sr., Dutch’s life was one of deep love, commitment, and faith. A life-long Catholic, he graduated from Bishop Byrne High School. Dutch began his dedicated service to his community as a firefighter with the Port Arthur Fire Department. He promoted through the ranks to engineer, captain, training battalion chief, and was named Fire Chief in 1975. He retired in 2001 with over 40 years of service to the citizens of Port Arthur, Texas.
Dutch was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Phyllis, and together they shared a remarkable bond rooted in love and faith for over 65 years. Their four children also went on to serve their communities as a teacher, federal court operations manager, city secretary and captain with the Port Arthur Fire Department. Dutch’s pride and joy were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He cherished every moment spent with them sharing his love for fishing, playing basketball, going on walks, and sharing stories of growing up. He was an avid fisherman and duck hunter, finding peace and joy in nature’s beauty. While there may be a few tall stories of fish that got away and ducks flying by, Dutch was able to catch a variety of fish and many different types of ducks while enjoying this hobby over his entire life. Above all, was Dutch’s love for Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Ruth Barbay, his brothers, Roy Barbay Jr., Wallace Barbay and his wife, Dorothy, and his sister, Mary Sonnier.
Dutch is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis Barbay of Port Arthur, his daughters, Mari Vell and her husband, Ray of Cross Roads, Texas, Terri Splawn and her husband, Stevie of New York, Texas, Shelley George and her husband, Chad of Allen, Texas, his son, James Barbay and his wife, Andrea of Nederland, Texas, and his ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Douglas Barbay and his wife, Judy of Nederland, Texas, Michael Barbay of Crosby, Texas, his sister, Beverly LaFleur and her husband, John of Nederland, Texas, his brother-in-law, W.J. Sonnier of Tyler, Texas.
A gathering of family and friends will take place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves, with a rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. A Catholic Burial Service will be held on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Nederland.
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