Earnest Tatum

Earnest Denvil Tatum, 64, of Silsbee, formerly of Nederland, died Thursday, January 20, 2022, at Harbor Hospice of Beaumont. He was born January 10, 1958, in Port Arthur, to Ruby Lee Seale Griffin and Wiley Augustus Tatum.

Earnest was a long-time resident of Nederland and graduated from Nederland High School. In his youth, he was a talented baseball player, active in scouts, and an inventor. He could commonly be found tearing apart the household appliances and electrical devices to “see how they worked”.

Earnest retired from his long-time career with Plains Marketing where he was a truck mechanic for many years. He was an active HAM radio operator, he enjoyed computer games, and was a very talented guitarist.  Earnest was also a highly skilled computer enthusiast and could often be found scouting out the latest technology.

Earnest had many interests like cooking, gardening, and fishing. He was also a die-hard Republican. He will be remembered for his quiet-spoken, always kind, and quirky grin and chuckle.

All who knew him, loved him and our lives are forever changed because of him. He will be greatly missed.

“Fly high, until we meet again, fly high.”

Survivors include his daughter, Misti Rene Tatum, of Port Acres; grandchildren, Zayd, Zayli, Zylar, and Zana; sisters, Denise Hopkins and husband, Skott and Sherri Hebert and husband, Richard, all of Nederland; nephew, Russell Hebert and wife, Whitney; and a host of family and friends.

The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to Dr.Lavalais and the staff of Harbor Hospice of Beaumont for their kindness, compassion, and great care.

Mr. Tatum’s cremation arrangements will be handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 505 North 12^th Street, Nederland. A private family memorial will be held at the site of one of his fondest memories, known only to the family, that was full of happiness, laughter, and great joy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society by visiting cancer.org; Calvary Baptist Church, Youth Fund, P.O. Box 162, Nederland, Texas 77627; or to The Tatum Family, c/o Denise Hopkins, 133 2^nd Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627.