Robert Nicholas DeYoung

Robert Nicholas DeYoung, 99, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at his home in Hamshire, Texas.  He was born September 30, 1924, to Emma Fischer DeYoung and Herman DeYoung Sr.

Robert was a lifelong resident of Hamshire, Texas.  After graduating from South Park High School, he thought about college but decided against it.  He worked for his dad as a carpenter for a few years, then he decided to hitchhike to Arizona for a summer in a mining camp making $450 before heading back home.  Once home in Hamshire, he decided to join the U. S. Navy in August, 1942. Robert spent 3 years, 4 months, and 22 days serving in World War II on the USS Barnes as a Water Tender Second Class.  He has said his service in the military was a great time in his life.  After serving in the military, he went to work for the plant between Winnie and Hamshire where he worked for 17 years until he was laid off when the plant was sold.  Robert then went to work for Beaumont Specialties Plant, known to most as Mobil Chemical, now known as Exxon/Mobil in Beaumont, Texas.  He spent another 17 years there before retiring.

When Robert returned home from serving in the military in January of 1946, he made his home in Hamshire, not far from his parents.  He raised his children in the house him and his dad built together.  He loved his family and enjoyed his friends.  He loved to fish, shrimp, and goose hunt.  After retiring from Mobil Chemical in 1986, he went fishing on Lake Sam Rayburn where he had a camp since the early 70’s.  The best times were had by all, either fishing with Gramps or skiing behind his bass boat.  “Gramps” fondly remembered the lighthearted bantering he had with his grandson, Shon, and who got the biggest fish and who got the most fish.  He also had a love for poker, dominos and card games.  He was always the competitor.

Robert is survived by his children, Sherry Hebert, Bobby DeYoung (Claudia), and Darlene Sonnier. His grandchildren, Mary Royer, Kelly Hebert, Maxine Bradley, Christine Ortiz, Raymond Payne, Tiffany Ortiz, Heather DeYoung, Robert DeYoung, Bobby DeYoung Jr., Hank Sonnier, Bonnie Campisi, and Shon Sonnier; 44 great grandchildren; and 45 great-great grandchildren.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents; loving wife of 47 ½ years, Ida Thibodeaux DeYoung; daughter, Sharon Roberta Fontenot; grandsons, Phillip Royer, Robert Payne and Roman Rocha; great-great granddaughter, Kaelyn Grace Barron; brothers, Herman DeYoung, Raymond DeYoung, Walter DeYoung; sisters, Lois Renkema, Jeanette Kunefke, Dorothy Groskerth; sons-in-law, Kelly Hebert Sr., Arride Lee Fontenot, and Gerald “Cooney” Sonnier.

We would like to thank Altus Hospice for their great care!  Emily, Jessica, Cassandra, Helen, Nicole, and Tiffani were amazing, caring ladies and very professional.  They cared for “Gramps” like he was family.   Additionally, we want to thank the caregivers that helped us give him the best care possible; Tina, Debra, Betty, Kim and Candy.  All these ladies have become family to us.

A gathering of Mr. Robert’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 29, 2023, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Broussard’s, Winnie. His interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.

Memorial contributions in Mr. DeYoung’s honor may be made to Hamshire Volunteer Fire Department, 12393 2^nd Street, Hamshire, Texas 77622, or P.O. Box 153, Hamshire, Texas 77622.