Ira Joseph “Curly” Brunet, 95, of Silsbee, Texas, formerly of Beaumont, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, July 14, 2015. 

Ira was born on March 11, 1920, in Edgerly, Louisiana, to Maurice and Celeste LeJeune Brunet.  He had four siblings: Victor, Lawrence, Pearl, and Hilton, all deceased.  In his early years his family moved frequently, following oilfield work in Southwest Louisiana and East Texas.  Consequently, he attended many schools, ending up at Terrebonne High School, Houma, Louisiana.  After school he came to the Golden Triangle, working as a butcher, steel worker, and then after serving in WWII, joining Pipefitters and Plumbers Local 195, and working out of 195 until his retirement in 1982.  He was also a longtime member of Pipeliners Local 798.

He met and married the love of his life, Hazel Hester, in 1957, and settled in Beaumont.  They were meant to be together, enjoying fishing, gardening, boating at Toledo Bend, and dancing to Cajun French music.  They also spent many hours playing Texas 42. He was a devoted husband, and then father to Leslie Ann.  He realized that Leslie was an only child, and he made it his mission to be her friend as well as her father; she became his sidekick. 

He was a member of the Bay City, Michigan, Masonic Lodge.  He and his beloved brother, Lawrence, with whom he had a very special bond, were both 32nd Degree Masons.  He enjoyed shooting and camping at Scrappin’ Valley.  Later, he had a lake house at Toledo Bend, which he enjoyed for many years. 

Ira’s real love was cooking and entertaining.  He was in his best element when he was in the kitchen cooking gumbo or fried seafood.  His barbecue was a real hit when he cooked for fundraisers at the Eagle’s Lodge, Aerie #116, in Beaumont, where he and Hazel were longtime members.  He spent many hours at “the Lodge” with countless dear friends and volunteering in the kitchen on Bingo nights.

Ira was a US Navy Veteran of WWII.  He served on the USS William Ward Burrows from 1942-1945, honorably discharged as a Chief Motor Machinist Mate.  He often told the story that when he received his “greetings” letter from the Army, he decided he didn’t want to spend the war in a mud hole.  So, he threw it into the trash and went as fast as he could to the Navy recruiter asking if it was too late to join the Navy.  Of course, the recruiter said “no,” so Ira set sail for what became a three-year cruise!

Ira is survived by his daughter, Leslie Ann Ellis, and son-in-law, Barney Ellis, whom he called “the worm,” of Silsbee, Texas.  He also leaves behind two grandsons, Joseph Bryan Yellott and his wife Mary of Austin, Texas, and Scotty Lynn Ellis and his wife Kacy, of Silsbee.  He dearly loved his great-grandchildren, Josephine and Andrew Yellott, and Felicity and Theodore Ellis.  His lovely wife of 39 years, Hazel Hester Brunet, preceded him in death by 20 years. 

A gathering of Curly’s family and friends will be 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 17, 2015, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.  His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 18, 2015, at Broussard’s.  His interment will be at Hester Cemetery, Forest, Texas.

If we remember Ira for anything, we will remember him for his smile and loving heart.  He was always there to help if needed, giving freely of himself.   His greatest gift to us was his wonderful sense of humor and … “C’est Bon!!!”