Everett Stratton

Everett Park Stratton, 87, of Jasper, died Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at his home at Sam Rayburn Lake, Jasper. He was born to Gertrude Lovena Park and George Samuel Stratton, on April 10, 1932, in Brooklyn, Iowa.

Everett grew up on a farm in Ladora, Iowa, and went to school in a one room school house. When he got to high school, Everett attended a school in Marengo, Iowa, until he left for the Navy in 1948. He received an honorable discharge in April of 1949 and was considered a World War II veteran.

He came to Texas around 1950 on his motorcycle. Because he came from Iowa to Texas, his friends nicknamed him “Yank”. Everett joined the Merchant Marines and worked on oil tankers in the engine room. He and our mother, Dolly Stratton, married on November 16, 1955, in San Pedro, California, and settled down in The Groves. He worked in the engine room until he worked his way to the top of the ladder as Chief Engineer. Everett then became a member of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association union for engineers. While he worked on many ships for many companies, in his final work days, he was working with Amoco Shipping Company, sailing on the SS Delaware Sea. In 1984, he and our mother started Ace Glass and Mirror, but he continued to ship out until he retired in 1987 and moved to the lake where he lived out the rest of his days. Everett loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting and The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. He loved to travel, read, and be on his computer. His favorite television shows were Fox News, Alaska Bush People, Gold Rush and Oak Island. I guess he knows the secrets of Oak Island now.

Everett wasn’t a very religious man. Although he believed in God and was saved when he was 9 years old, he didn’t live his life that way. Everett lived a very adventurous life with many stories to tell and would come off with funny statements like, “Be careful of the toes you step on today because they may be attached to the butt you have to kiss tomorrow”. Another one is, “Life will always try to make thing difficult for you, but every time you overcome obstacles, you come out stronger.” And “Always be proud of who you are”.

Survivors include his son, Mark Stratton and his wife, Annette, of Groves; daughter, Cindy Stratton Begnaud and her husband, David, of Nederland; grandchildren, Curtis and Haili Stratton, both of Nederland; great-grandchildren, Skyler and Pyper Stratton, both of Nederland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Doris Stratton; brother, Dallas Stratton and William “Bill” Stratton; and sister, Mary Ann Stoneberg.

A gathering of Mr. Stratton’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with his memorial service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Burial of Mr. Stratton’s cremated body will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.

Memorial contributions may be made to Southeast Texas Circle of Hope at Neches Federal Credit Union, account number 59432 or mailed to P.O. Box 953, Nederland, Texas 77627.