Clyde “Bob” East

Clyde “Bob” East, 88, of Nederland, died Saturday, October 15, 2022. He was born November 30, 1933, in Rockwood, Tennessee to Hope Price East and Clyde Charles East, Sr.

Clyde grew up in Rockwood, Tennessee. He joined the United States Air Force after graduating from high school and was stationed at Carswell Airforce Base in Fort Worth, Texas. It was in Carswell that he met his future wife, Brooksie Collier, at a YWCA sponsored dance on base. It was love at first sight and six months later, they eloped. Clyde and Brooksie remained devoted to each other for sixty-two years until she passed away in 2019.

After Clyde’s four-year stint in the United States Air Force, he and Brooksie moved to Port Arthur and began their family and his thirty-three-year career with the United States Government at the Department of Defense. His area of responsibility was the Gulf Coast from Freeport, Texas to New Orleans, Louisiana. He considered his greatest career accomplishment as his work for the Federal Government getting the Big Hill Strategic Oil Reserve facility up and running.

As his children grew up, Clyde and Brooksie made sure their three kids knew they were equally loved unconditionally.

“Our parents were loving, supportive, fun, and kind. They taught us the love of family through example. The greatest and most important thing our parents did for us was their commitment to raise us in church and teach us to love and honor God from an early age. For this, we are the most thankful. It was our joy and privilege to be able to care for our parents as they aged. We already miss our dad just like we miss our mom, but God has blessed us with a lifetime of precious memories of the best parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents that any family could hope to have. – We will love you forever!”

Survivors include his daughters, Denise Hinton and husband, Stephen, and Durise Leger and husband, Keith, all of Port Neches; grandchildren, Jordan Leger, Shelby Leger, and Brooksie East; great-granddaughter, Greenleigh Leger; sisters, Sue Norton of Florida; Virginia Taylor and husband, Chuck, of Michigan; and Geraldine Brandon and husband, Donny, of Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Brooksie East; son, Dennis C. East; and sister, Betty Newman.

A gathering of Mr. East’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with his funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at First Baptist Church of Port Arthur, 3948 FM 365, Port Arthur. His interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor Clyde’s love of his church and his love of reading with contributions to First Baptist Church of Port Arthur, 3948 FM 365, Port Arthur, Texas 77642 or to Marion and Ed Hughes Library, 2712 Nederland Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627.