Joseph Donald Laborde Sr.

Joseph Donald LaBorde, Sr. passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. He was born September 27, 1931 to Sarah Guillot LaBorde and Sanford Peter LaBorde. He grew up in Beaumont, Texas with his 2 siblings, Sanford Peter LaBorde, Jr. (“T”) and Sarah Jane LaBorde Gentz. Don graduated from South Park High School in 1950. He joined the United States Navy in January of 1951. He served during the Korean War on the U.S.S. Kearsarge, an aircraft carrier, as a gunner’s mate. He was honorably discharged in November of 1954.
In March of 1955 he began working at the Texas U.S. Rubber plant in Port Neches, Texas. While working there, he met Julia LeBlanc, who worked in the lab. They were married July 24, 1955 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Nederland. In January of 1961, they welcomed their firstborn, Sheri Desiree’. Two years later Joseph Donald Jr. (Jody) was born in August of 1963. Reesa Andree’ completed their family in December of 1967. Don and Julia raised their children in Vidor, Texas. They opened LaBorde’s Lawnmower shop in 1962 and owned it for almost 40 years.
In their retirement years, Don and Julia enjoyed traveling the United States in their RV with the Pirate Sams and other friends. They took many trips, once traveling up the East coast for 3 months and the West coast and up to Canada for 3 months. They also enjoyed an Alaskan cruise, a 50th wedding anniversary Caribbean cruise and many others. Don loved his family, traveling in his motorhome with his wife and friends, helping others, mowing grass, duck hunting, sweets, watching Wheel of Fortune, playing the Sizzlin’ Sevens slot machines in Louisiana, going out to eat, taking naps, sitting in his barn watching whatever went by and watching his great grandchildren play. He had an infectious smile and a wonderful laugh!
Don is survived by his children, Sheri LaBorde Barber and husband Dennis, of Friendswood, TX: Jody LaBorde and wife, Jeannie, of Vidor. Reesa LaBorde Fast and husband, Tim, of Mansfield, TX. He is survived by his sister, Sarah Jane Gentz of Vidor. Grandchildren include Jared Barber and wife, Stephanie; Chad Barber and wife, Lauren; Rae LaBorde, Kendall Barber, Leighton Fast and Kennedy Fast. Great-grandchildren who loved their Paw are Grayson, Elliot, Rachel, Ansley, and Makenna Barber. He will be missed by a very special friend, Sybil Dellenger. He was also cherished by many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends who will miss him very much. Visitation will take place Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be Monday, May 20 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with burial to follow at Restlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Don’s honor to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society. We thank you for your prayers and words of support through this difficult time.