Joseph “Big Earl” Trahan, Jr., 72, of Lumberton, died Sunday, March 14, 2010, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth in Beaumont.

He was born December 4, 1937, in Nederland to Hilda Wyble Trahan and Joseph E. Trahan.  Joseph had been a lifelong resident of the Beaumont area and was a retired heavy equipment operator.  He was an Army Reserve veteran.

Survivors include his children, Lisa Shoemaker and her husband Zachary, Robert Trahan, Tammy Chapman and her husband David, Joseph Earl Trahan III, and Cindy Tolar and her husband Dwayne; grandchildren, Kade Tolar, Kara Lynn Trahan, Kallie Kotlarz and her husband Jason, Molly James, Shelby Walker and Kirsten Walker; and siblings, Bill Trahan and his wife Bonnie, James Trahan and his wife Helena and LaVerne Smith and her husband Clinton.

He is preceded in death by his great-grandchild, Kinsley Kotlarz.

His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2010, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.  A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at Broussard’s. A committal will be at Broussard’s Crematorium.