Eldridge “Shorty” Viator, 84, of Port Arthur, died Wednesday, April 22, 2015. He was born on August 9, 1930, in Delcambre, Louisiana, to Mary Bergeron and Leonce Viator, Sr., and had been a longtime resident of the area.

Eldridge was a United States Marine veteran having served in the Korean War from 1951-1953. During his time in service, he won the Korean Service Medal with three stars, United Nations Service Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. Eldridge enjoyed dancing to Cajun music and always had a classy automobile. He loved being with family and taking road trips. Eldridge loved socializing with his friends at local establishments. 

Survivors include his daughters, Gwen Logue of Groves, Texas and Adrian Day and her husband, James, of New Braunfels, Texas; sons, Errol Viator and his wife, Stephanie, of Italy, Texas and Eric Viator and his wife, Missy, of Fannett, Texas; grandchildren, Jessica Simon, Ryan Domingue, Harley Day, and Kirsten, Easton, Ethan, and Evan Viator; great-grandchildren, Kenley Seal, Kayten Sattler, and Korben Domingue; sisters, Emma Lee Morvant and her husband, Frances, of New Iberia, Louisiana and Betty Herndon, of Orlando, Florida; and brother, Herman Viator and his wife, Bonnie, of Delcambre, Louisiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Wanita Romero and Dorothy Fanning; and brothers, Richard Viator, Leonce Viator, Jr., and Adam Migues.

A gathering of Mr. Viator’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 24, 2015, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 27, 2015, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 206 West Church Street, Delcambre, Louisiana. His interment, with full military honors provided by the United States Marine Corps, will follow at Our Lady Of The Lake Cemetery, Delcambre, Louisiana. 

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Viator’s memory to Disabled American Veterans Charity, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Summer Place Rehabilitation for the care they so generously gave.