Artie Paul “A.P." Decuir, who loved the Lord, went to be with Him on Monday, November 8, 2010.  He was born in Beaumont, Texas, the son of Mitchel and Lizzie Decuir who preceded him in death.

He graduated from South Park High School in Beaumont, and then enlisted in the United States Navy. After his time in the service, he returned home to Beaumont and began work at DuPont - Beaumont Works.  After thirty-two years with DuPont, he retired to follow his passions of golfing, fishing, and cooking, not to mention his love of sports, following the Texas Longhorns and the Astros.

Artie was devoted to his faith, and was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church where he attended daily mass.  The family was his life and he loved nothing better than being with them, cousins and relatives. The every other year gathering of his brothers, sisters and their spouses at Christmas was a family tradition that was held for twenty years, providing materials for his stories and jokes.

Artie is survived by his wife of twenty-four years, Lee Russell Decuir; son, Jeffery Decuir of Winnie; daughter, Annette Decuir Carlson of Beaumont; step-daughter, Amber Guillory of Beaumont; granddaughter, Destiney Sutton of Beaumont; sisters, Cecile Decuir Eatherly of Houston and Orelia Decuir Robbins and her husband James of Lumberton; brothers, Wilton Decuir and his wife Patsy of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Glenn Decuir and his wife Mary of Fort Myers, Florida and Merlin Decuir and his wife Diana of North Richland Hills; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 11, 2010, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of 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, November 10, 2010, with a Christian Vigil at 6:00 p.m. at Broussard’s.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boys’ Haven of America, P.O. Box 5815, Beaumont, Texas 77726 or to Family Services of Southeast Texas Women and Children’s Shelter, 3550 Fannin, Beaumont, Texas 77701.