Herbert “Bud” Hymel

Herbert Allen Hymel or “Bud” as most knew him, passed away peacefully January 18, 2022, at his home at Spanish Trail Assisted Living Facility in Silsbee, Texas. He was born in Lake Arthur, Louisiana, on January 9, 1922, to Lelia Gibson Hymel and Pat Hymel.

On his paternal side, Bud was born to a family of great hunting and fishing guides. Even though he was a child of the Great Depression, happy memories of hunting ducks, gigging frogs and fishing in the rich waters of Lake Arthur with his faithful dog, Pinto, his brothers and friends sustained him all his life. At every family gathering that special time would come when the room would grow quiet so all could hear Bud’s great stories…. especially the one about the panther stalking him in the swamp!

His maternal great grandfather was a Methodist missionary from Scotland, Dr. James L Gibson, who helped establish Lake Arthur First United Methodist Church in 1890 before the town of Lake Arthur was incorporated.  Bud had clear memories of his first job as an 8-year-old child: searching for firewood and rising during pre-dawn hours to light the iron stove that warmed the Church for Sunday services. He also rang the steeple bell that called worshipers to services on Sunday mornings.  All that for a monthly salary of 25 cents!  And he felt rich!  The habit of Sunday worship is one he maintained throughout his life.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, Bud was drafted by the US Army. Stationed at Schofield Barracks Army Base in Oahu Hawaii Bud was trained as a rifle sharpshooter and assigned to an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion.  He was always humble about his contribution and had high regard for the demands of military service to protect our American freedoms. Bud was always proud that all five of the Hymel brothers served in three different branches of military service during World War II at the same time.

Bud graduated from Lake Arthur High School and married Jacqueline O’Neil, a union that would last over 80 years.  Jobs were scarce in the Lake Arthur area, so the young couple moved to Beaumont, Texas to raise their family. Bud worked in the rice business most of his life and retired from the Beaumont Rice Mill.  After retirement Bud and Jackie moved “home” to Lake Arthur.  They treasured their years back home in Lake Arthur and their worship at Lake Arthur First United Methodist Church.

Bud and Jackie’s four daughters and their husbands, Madeline Stirling and her late husband, Gardner; Dianne Sparks and her husband, Tom; Connie Boesch and her late husband, Tom; and Christy Burton and her husband, Richard; they were blessed with nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren and counting.  He is preceded in death by his parents; grandchildren, Mary Ellen Sparks Lowe and Chris Sparks; and brothers and sisters-in-law; John Henry Hymel and his wife, Aline; Harold Hymel and his wife, Maxine; Harry Hymel and his wife, Jean; and Jimmie Hymel and his wife, Della.

His legacy lives on in the joy that each child brings to the family.  Bud lived a full and fruitful life and leaned on his faith in God to guide his path.  Well done good and faithful servant.  Rest in God’s perfect peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, KJV, To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A life well lived is full of blessings from God and the family is deeply grateful for all.  Bud was especially blessed during his later years to have been loved and cared for by so many faithful, loving friends.  Dr. Jeremy Huff and his nursing staff, Dr. R.M. Williams, Ms. Della Hill, Ms. Tanzie Fowler, RN, Ms. Sonia Thibodeaux, Ms. Shannon Hale and her staff at Spanish Trail Assisted Living Facility, Ms. Maggie LeJune, RN, Altus Hospice, Ms. Stephanie Bourgeois, Altus Hospice, and Altus Hospice Healthcare Professionals, thank you, dear souls!

Bud’s funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Lake Arthur First United Methodist Church, 323 New Orleans Avenue, Lake Arthur, Louisiana, under the direction of Broussard’s, Silsbee, Texas.  His interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Lake Arthur, Louisiana.  Please observe social distancing guidelines.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lake Arthur First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 429, Lake Arthur, Louisiana 70549.