Richard E. Doornbos, 86, of Nederland, passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2013. He was born at Hotel Dieu on October 25, 1927, in Beaumont to the late Jennie Elaine McCartney and Cornelus Doornbos, Sr.
He graduated from Nederland High School. Richard attended USL in Lafayette, Louisiana, Northwestern University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, Rice University in Houston, and Texas A&M University in College Station.
He served proudly in the United States Army and the United States Air Force from 1945 - 1948 during World War II and from 1951 – 1952 during the Korean War. After honorable discharge from the service in 1952, Richard moved to Singer, Louisiana, where he ran the family business operations, which included farming, ranching, cattle, and the timber business. He met and married Peggy Lou Durham in 1954 and after a time moved to DeRidder, Louisiana. Richard spent eighteen years running the family business operations in Louisiana before returning to Nederland to help with the family business in 1971. Prior to moving he served as City Councilman of DeRidder.
Richard was very active in community affairs. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Nederland. Richard served as Trustee on the Board of Lon Morris College, located in Jacksonville, Texas. He also served as a Board of Director of St. Mary’s Hospital and as a director of St. Mary’s Foundation for Children’s Miracle Network. He was on the Board of the Methodist Mission Home in San Antonio, Texas; Board of Governors of Shriners Burns Hospital in Galveston; President of Southeast Texas Hospice; and President of the Three Rivers Boy Scout Council, Beaumont. Richard and his brother Bill were awarded the Silver Beaver award for their contributions and dedication to scouting and the Three Rivers Council.
Richard was also a member of DeRidder A.F. & A.M. Lodge #271, Louisiana Scottish Rite Bodies of Lake Charles, Louisiana, York Rite, Leesville, Louisiana, Habbi Shrine Temple, Lake Charles, Louisiana, El Mina Shrine Temple, Galveston Texas, Mid-Jefferson Shrine Club, Beaumont Shrine Club, National Shrine Clown Association, Texas Shrine Clown Association, El Mina Nem Loof Clown Unit (Hay Boy), and the Royal Order of the Jesters, Court 97, Galveston.
He was Past President of Texas Shrine Association, Past President of the Royal Order of Jesters, Ct. 97, Past President National Shrine Clown Association and Past Potentate of El Mine Shrine Temple (1983), Galveston.
He was also a member of the American Legion Butler-Reed Post #493 and was a life member of the V.F.W. Harry Doornbos Post #6384, as well as a longtime member of the Nederland Chamber of Commerce.
Richard is survived by his daughters, Jennifer E. Doornbos of Nederland; and Lisa Doornbos Eubanks and her husband, Brent, of Nederland. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews; great-great nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of forty-nine years, Peggy D. Doornbos, brothers, William Doornbos, Harry Doornbos, Cornelus (Cale) Doornbos, Jr.; and sisters: Christina Barnett, May Youmans Englin, Emma Miller, Rosemarie Gladding, Freida Kuntz, Carrie Walter, and Elenore Dudley.
A gathering of Mr. Doornbos' family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 6, 2013, at Broussard's, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 7, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, 104 North 13th Street Nederland, with Reverend Malcolm Monroe, Reverend Wayne Flowers, and Reverend Toney Miller, officiating. Masonic and military graveside services will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches, with Iutress “Junior” Cooley, Pete Unkel, David Unkel, Hine Unkel, Gene Kuntz, Kirk Thomas, David Durham, and H.C. “Duke” Youmans III, serving as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jose Chavez, who was a long time friend and caregiver, El Mina Shrine, Nem Loof Clowns and Royal Order of the Jesters Court #97.
The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and aides at St. Elizabeth Hospital and Southeast Texas Hospice. A very special and very heartfelt thank you to all of Richard’s wonderful caregivers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 815 Market Street, Galveston, Texas 77550; First United Methodist Church, 104 North 13th Street, Nederland, Texas 77627; or Southeast Texas Hospice, 912 West Cherry Avenue, Orange, Texas 77630.
