Claude Villemez, Jr.

Claude Pierre Villemez, Jr., 78, of Fannett Texas, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2018. He was born on September 18, 1939 to Norine Villemez and Claude Pierre Villemez, Sr.

Claude spent his childhood in Deweyville, Texas helping his Father along with his younger brother, Percy, working a fish camp on the Sabine River. In 1955, at the age of 16, Claude along with Percy, moved to Port Acres, Texas where he lived with his grandparents, Louis and Elizabeth Villemez. Claude graduated high school from Stephen F. Austin High School in Port Acres in 1959. It was during his time at SFA High School that he formed friendships with lifelong buddies, Bert Miller, Carl Randall, Jr., and Numa Dale Richard. After graduation, Claude served six years in the National Guard. Claude then went to Lamar Tech, where he obtained his Associates Degree. He worked at Arco Refinery, USI Refinery, and Quantum Refinery. Claude was a member of the IBEW Local 190 in Port Arthur, where he served as Vice President. He was also a member of the IBEW Local 479 in Beaumont Texas. Claude was a great family man and he loved his children and especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He shared his love of the outdoors by taking the grandkids on many camping and fishing trips.

Claude is survived by his daughter, Vickie Moore and her husband, Sam; son, Rodney Villemez and his wife, Kim; grandchildren, Amber Villemez Myers, Tori Villemez, Andrew Moore, Abigail Moore Pettie, and Emily Moore; and great-grandchildren, Emerson Myers and Braxtyn Pettie.

Claude is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Percy Villemez.

A gathering of Mr. Villemez’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 23, 2018, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., February 24, 2018, at First Baptist Church Hamshire, 25304 Hwy 124, Hamshire, with a graveside service at 2:00 p.m., at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves.