Thomas Vargas, 97, of Port Arthur passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 surrounded by his family.

Thomas was born on March 23, 1926 in Hollandale, Mississippi to parents Cruz (Sandoval) and Eluterio Vargas. He had lived in the Southeast Texas since he was 3 years old and he was member of St. Catherine Catholic Church. Thomas served his country in the US Army during WWII: receiving a purple heart.  He had worked at a car painting shop for many years and his last employer was Burton Shipyard for 8 years as supervisor. Thomas enjoyed going fishing, working in his garden, especially his fruit trees, doing construction work and painting cars. Thomas was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eluterio and Cruz Vargas, his brother, Isidro Vargas and his sisters, Rufina Perez and Elvira Vargas.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Evon Vargas of Port Arthur, his daughters, Delia Embler and her husband, Douglas of Port Arthur, Theresa Collazo and her fiancé, Lynn Suire of Vidor and Linda Dionne and her husband, Thad of Orange. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Linda Collazo, Johnny Collazo Jr. and his wife, Annelise, Sean Dionne and fiancé, Evita Matson, Ryan Dionne, his great grandchildren, Rylen Mirabella, LaRae Stanley and her husband, Jordan, Dylan Collazo, Julianna Collazo, Jack Collazo, Camila Collazo and one great-great grandchild, Paisleigh Stanley.

A gathering of family and friend will be held on Monday, January 1, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home, with at rosary to be prayed at 6:00 PM at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the St. Catherine Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Nederland.