Thomas Wayne French, 73, of Lumberton, died Saturday, March 1, 2014, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas-Beaumont. A native of Beaumont, he was born to Janice Elizabeth Schwarzer French and Homer Lee French, Jr. on January 22, 1941, and a direct descendant of John J. French, one of Beaumont’s earliest settlers. He served his country in the Army Reserves, and was a letter carrier for thirty-four years with the United States Postal Service. Thomas will be remembered for his funny jokes, always making people smile and having a “heart of gold” opening his door and home to anyone in need. Some of his favorite hobbies included fishing, picking berries, playing cards, and going to the casino. He was a lifetime fan of the Dallas Cowboys and The University of Texas Longhorns.

Survivors include his wife, Dora Mae Williams French; son, Tommy French, Jr., both of Lumberton; daughters, Penny French of Katy, and Leslie French of Lumberton; mother, Janice French of Sour Lake; brother, John French and his wife, Gail, of Beaumont; sister, Maureen Broussard and her husband, Gerald, of Nederland; brothers-in-law, Royle Williams, and his wife, Vel, of Mauriceville; and Rudy Williams, and his wife, Diane, of Beaumont; sisters-in-law, Beanie Carter and her husband, Claude, of Vidor; and Rae O’Neal and her husband, Danie, of Rumsey, Kentucky; and several other family members.

A Christian Vigil will be held at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 6, 2014, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 755 South 11th Street, Suite #212, Beaumont, Texas 77701.