George Jacob Shakour, 69, of Beaumont, went to be with his Lord unexpectedly on April 15, 2012, at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital. Mr. Shakour was born on November 8, 1942, in Beaumont, to George and Mildred Shakour. He attended Beaumont High, and continued his education at Lamar University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Government. He enlisted in the Army after college, and bravely served his country in the Vietnam War. During his service he received an Orthodox cross from a priest in Italy which he never took off for the rest of his life. George was a devoted member of St. Michael’s Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church and served as a sub-Deacon there. He also dedicated many hours to the small church of St. John the Divine in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was currently teaching economics at Memorial High School in Port Arthur, where he was named Teacher of the Year 2012. George’s life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by him understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family especially at his second home at Crystal Beach. Some of George’s hobbies included gardening, fishing, and most of all “fiddling with anything.”

George is survived by  his wife, Sherridan Pearce Shakour; son, Derek Shakour and his wife, Elizabeth; daughter, Stacy Stevens and her husband, Spencer; step-daughter, Tandy Tutt, all of Beaumont; sister, Carolyn Wright and her husband, Al of China, Texas; grandchildren, Avery Shakour, Beau Stevens, Anabel Stevens and Talya Tutt; his aunts, Doris Debbs of Beaumont and Ciclylee Clark of Woodville; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves three loyal loving dogs that will miss him tremendously.

He is preceded in death by infant daughter, Hope Shakour; and his parents.

A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2012, with a Trisagion at 7:00 p.m., at St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 690 North 15th Street, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 690 North 15th Street, Beaumont, 77702; St. John the Divine Antiochian Orthodox Church, 5732 Bennie Lane, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605; or Humane Society of Southeast Texas, 2050 Spindletop Avenue, Beaumont, 77705.