Richard “Larry” Shimek, 68, died at Harbor Hospice on Wednesday, November 12, 2014. He had been fighting a battle with emphysema for six weeks. Larry was born on June 14, 1946, in Harlingen, Texas, to Charles (Spud) Shimek and Katherine Shimek. He had two brothers, one sister, and one older sister who died in infancy.
He received his education in Beaumont attending French High School, where he graduated in 1964. Larry excelled in all things “sports”. While attending Lamar University, he minored in engineering while earning a Bachelor of Science in Math in December 1968. During his college years, Larry worked part time at the Texas Highway Department as a draftsman.
In August 1968, Larry married Patricia Hickey. They had two daughters, Stephanie and Heather. One month after college graduation, the United States Army invited him to join them. Upon completion of basic training in El Paso, Texas, Larry was stationed at Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia. He was a computer programmer at the Forestall Building in Washington, D.C.
After finishing his Army tour of duty, Larry returned to Beaumont and to the Texas Highway Department, where he worked in the computer department. He left after fifteen years to work for Gulf States Utilities (Entergy) as an auditor. In 1996, he retired from Entergy and took a consulting job with Shell Oil in Houston. At the time of his death, Larry was retired and acting as his ninety-four year old mother’s caregiver. He was an avid bowler and enjoyed tinkering in his garage.
Survivors include his wife, Pat Shimek; daughters, Stephanie Shimek and Heather Shimek Rudd and her husband, Marcus; mother, Katherine Shimek; brother, Roy Shimek; sister, Linda Shimek; one grandson, Calder Rudd; and one granddaughter, Samantha Rudd.
He is preceded in death by his father, Spud Shimek and brother, David Shimek.
A gathering of Mr. Shimek’s family and friends will be from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday afternoon at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont.
Thanks to the staff of Harbor Hospital. You made his stay there pleasurable and your food helped him gain twenty pounds. Thanks also to the red headed nurse at Health South for your kindness. To the male nurse, Chris, at Baptist ER who loaned out his cell phone to Stephanie, thank you. There are people in healthcare who care about their patients.
