Herbert “Butch” Eugene Duhon Jr., 79, of Beaumont, Texas passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, June 25, 2017. Born on October 1, 1937 in Austin, Texas to Herbert Duhon, Sr. and Marjorie Davis, Duhon was the older brother to his two sisters, Laura and Beth Ann. In 1964, he married his loving wife of 53 years, Jeanette, and together, in 1965, they welcomed their daughter, Christine.
A lifelong resident of the Golden Triangle, he attended Thomas Jefferson High School, Lamar University and served in the United States Air Force in the Air Rescue Service from 1955 to 1958, leading to a decades-long career in public service.
Beginning in 1969, Duhon served as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Lakeview and continued as Deputy Marshal before becoming Town Marshall, a role in which he served until the City of Lakeview was annexed by Port Arthur in 1980. During this time, from 1971 – 1973, he also served as the deputy sheriff of Orange County.
In addition to his service, Duhon worked alongside his grandfather and father at G.D. Duhon Furniture Company in Port Arthur, a family tradition for three generations.
In 1973, he became a certified crane operator, working at Burton Ship Yard, Baroid and OPI, and from 1997 to 2008, he managed security operations for ExxonMobil Polyethylene Plant in Beaumont, retiring in May of 2008.
Most important to Duhon was his love for his family. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jeanette Yarbrough; daughter, Christine and husband John Gavrelos, of Beaumont; five grandchildren, Katherine Williams and her husband Michael Williams of Lumberton, Ahna Gavrelos of Houston, Paige Gavrelos of Jaco, Costa Rica, Nicholette Gavrelos of Lubbock, and William Gavrelos of Houston; and Golden Retriever, Sophie.
He is also survived by two sisters, Laura and her husband, Herbert “Gene” Dishman, Jr., of China, and Beth Anne and her husband, Harold “Pepper” Smith, Jr., of Colmesneil; two nephews, Herbert Dishman III of China, and Brandon Smith and wife, Joley, of Colmesneil; three nieces Deanna and husband, Jeb Airey, of Lumberton; Whitney and husband, Allan Neighbors, of Houston; and Morgan and husband, Alfonso Angelone, of Austin; as well as eight great nieces and nephews.
Four extended nieces and nephews; Jessie Yarbrough and wife, Penny, of Seattle, Washington; Tom Yarbrough and wife, Stefani, of Bedford; Lisa Callahan of Boyd; Sharon and husband, Michael Hendrix, of Sour Lake; as well as 13 extended great-nieces and nephews.
Children from a previous marriage, Herbert “Buddy” Duhon and wife, Roxanne, of Lafayette, Louisiana; Kenneth Duhon of Texarkana, Arkansas; and James Duhon of Texarkana, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Kenneth “Ray” Duhon and wife, Tessa, of Texarkana, Arkansas; Keely and husband, Justin Chapman, of Texarkana, Texas; and Kaleb Duhon of Texarkana, Arkansas; and three great-grandchildren, Makayla Duhon, Mylee Duhon, and Remington Chapman.
He is preceded in death by his father, Herbert Duhon, Sr.; mother, Marjorie Davis Duhon Hurst; daughter from his previous marriage, Deborah Duhon; and his beloved Lhasa Apso, Fluffy.
Pallbearers include John Gavrelos, William Gavrelos, Michael Williams, Kenneth Duhon, Herbert Dishman III, and Brandon Smith.
A gathering of Mr. Duhon’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 30, 2017, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 1, 2017, at Broussard’s, with Pastor Deanna Airey, of Journey Community Church, Lumberton, officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
