Sidney Bertrand

Sidney Paul Bertrand, 85, of Winnie, died Monday, December 16, 2019, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont. He was born on March 10, 1934, in Kaplan, Louisiana, to Ivy Duhon and Ivan Bertrand. He was a United States Army veteran. Sidney grew up speaking french but learned to speak english once he began first grade. He started school in Louisiana and moved to Winnie his sophomore year of high school. He graduated from East Chambers High School in 1953. After time in the Army, he graduated from Lamar with 2 degrees. He began a long career as an educator and for 35 years he touched the lives of students as a teacher, coach and principal. His passion was that of a birddog trainer, specifically the English Pointer. As long as anyone remembers, Sidney has owned birddogs to either hunt or compete in field trials. His training expertise placed him in the winner circle quite often as member of numerous clubs and organizations.

He would talk trees for hours to whoever would listen. The grafting of 85 pecan trees that he nursed from saplings were a source of pride and his loved ones appreciated it greatly. He has built tractors, houses, barns and was the best problem solver around. To his children and grandchildren, he will forever be the smartest and most generous man they know.

Sidney is survived by his children, Fran Bledsoe and her husband, Tom, of Sour Lake; Wesley Bertrand; Casey Bertrand and his wife, Cindy; and Vincent Bertrand, all of Winnie; and Lane Bertrand and his wife, Ashli, of Anahuac; sisters, Lillian Gray, of Kenner, Louisiana and Shirley Eskridge and her husband, Don, of Metairie, Louisiana; grandchildren, Randi Garner and her husband, Ron; Bailey Bledsoe; Collin Bledsoe; Tracy Bledsoe and his fiancée, Lauren; Travis Bertrand and his wife, Charissa; Greg Bertrand; Samantha Bertrand and her wife, Shannon; Skipper Bertrand; Tristan Bertrand; Peyton Bertrand; Cameron Bertrand; Sydney Bertrand; and Brady Bertrand; and great- granddaughter, Layla Bertrand.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Dorsey Bertrand; parents, Ivy and Ivan Bertrand; and brother, Clarence Bertrand.

A gathering of Mr. Bertrand’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 19, 2019, at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 1708 Highway 124, Winnie-Stowell. His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 20, 2019, at First United Methodist Church, 1708 Highway 124, Winnie-Stowell. His interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1708 Highway 124, Winnie, Texas 77665.