Donald “Don” James Sonnier, Sr., 84, of Lumberton, died Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at Silsbee Convalescent Center, Silsbee. He was born on February 16, 1933, in Port Arthur, to Ada Domingue Sonnier and J.E. Sonnier.
Don graduated from Lamar State College of Technology in 1956 with a B.B.A. He was employed by three local banks for a total of twenty-six years, plus four years at the Beaumont Rice Mill. After leaving banking in 1982, he became an auctioneer and he and his wife, Jo Ann, operated “Don’s Auctions” for four years. At the same time they conducted Remember When Estate Sales in the area for twenty-two years. They also traveled across the country with antiques and collectibles shows.
Survivors include his loving wife, Jo Ann Wood Sterling Sonnier; children, Donald J. “Donnie” Sonnier, Jr. and Beverly Moxley; Dr. Leo “Butch” Sonnier and his wife, Kathy; Margaret Breaux and her husband, David, all of Austin; Mary Louise Pearce and her husband, Tim, of Sugarland; and Tom Sonnier of Dallas; stepson, Gary L. Sterling of Jasper; and stepdaughter, Candy Sterling Cole and her husband, Alan of Manassas Park, Virginia; sisters-in-law; Joan Sonnier of Port Arthur and Joyce Wood Winfree of Sanger; brother-in-law, Garrie A. Wood, Jr. and his wife, Kim, of Silsbee; fourteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Fred L. Sonnier and Robert “Bob” Sonnier; daughter, Cheryl “Cupcake” Sonnier Dana; sons, James D. “Jimmy” Sonnier; mother of his children, Mary Dempsey Sonnier; and sisters-in-law, Nadine Wood Sonnier and Trudeen Swain.
A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, April 9, 2017, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 10, 2017, at Infant Jesus Catholic Church, 243 South LHS Drive, Lumberton. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.
