David Louis Fournerat, Sr.

David Louis Fournerat, Sr., 91, of Beaumont, died Friday, March 6, 2026. He was born on January 18, 1935, in Branch, Louisiana, to Enna Daigle and Marcial Fournerat.

In the mid-1950s, he began his military journey through the ROTC program at McNeese State University. Following his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, he faithfully served his country through the mid-1960s, rising through the ranks to First Lieutenant and ultimately Captain in the United States Army. During his service he was stationed at several bases, including Fort Polk, Fort Hood, Fort Sill, and Fort Chaffee.

As a Captain in the Artillery, he distinguished himself not only through leadership but also through exceptional skill in marksmanship. He competed in the Army’s competitive shooting arena and earned multiple marksmanship trophies during his time in service. As a Reserve Officer, he remained subject to call to active duty into the 1970s.

Following his military service, he began a long career in the oil and refining industry. He first worked at the Cities Service refinery in Lake Charles, which later became CITGO. In 1978, he accepted a position with Exxon and moved overseas to Libya, working at the Esso Standard Libya operation. In 1981, during the military confrontation in the Gulf of Sidra between the forces of Muammar Qaddafi and the United States Navy, the family was evacuated from Libya.

After returning to the United States, he settled in Beaumont, Texas, where he worked at the Mobil Magnolia Refinery until his retirement. Even after retirement, his expertise remained in demand, and he continued working on contract assignments across the country conducting metallurgical safety inspections.

Above all, he was a devoted husband and father who deeply loved his wife and children. His faith was an important part of his life, and he was a faithful member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his service to his country, and the steady strength and integrity with which he lived his life.

Survivors include his children, David Fournerat, Jr.; Steven Fournerat and his wife, Deanie Richard; William Fournerat and his wife, Judy; Jeffrey Fournerat; Lisa Farr and her husband, Richard; Greg Fournerat and his wife, Ronda; and Kevin Fournerat and his wife, Lisa; grandchildren, Megan Mistric and her husband, Nathan; Clarissa Fournerat and her husband, Eric George; Hannah Fournerat; Marc Fournerat and his wife, Tina; Krista Fournerat; Lloyd Farr and his wife, Lauren; Conner Farr; Margaret Farr; Cpl Raymond Farr; Creston Fournerat; John Lockhart and his wife, Laura; Alisa Autrey and her husband, Timothy; and Michael Nelson and his wife, Tiffany; great-grandchildren, Forrest Mistric; Maverick Mistric; AnnMarie Mistric; Marceline Ramian; Ellyse Fournerat; Owen Fournerat; Charlotte Fournerat; Lukas Farr; Noah Reed; Weston Reed; Sadie Reed; Everly Lockhart; Maverick Lockhart; Presley Nelson; Audrey Nelson; Tinlee Nelson; and Taygen Nelson; and brother, DJ Fournerat.

David is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marjorie Fournerat; sister, Lilly Himel; and daughter-in-law, Deborah Fournerat.

Memorial contributions may be made to Redeemer Lutheran, ​4330 Crow Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or Nutrition and Services for Seniors, 4590 Concord Road, Beaumont, Texas 77703.

A gathering of Mr. Fournerat’s family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2026, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 4330 Crow Road, Beaumont. His graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m., at Highland Memory Gardens, 6325 Common Street, Lake Charles.