A man known for decades on the radio in Southeast Texas has passed away. James Donald Hebert, known as Don Hebert to his audience, died Wednesday at a Beaumont hospice.
Don enjoyed life, playing in local band and sharing his experiences on his radio show. He retired from radio in the early 90’s when he left his position as program director of KDLF radio in Port Neches. Don closed his program each day with the same line, “If you see someone without a smile, you give them yours.”
James Donald Hebert born February 20, 1931 passed into eternal rest to be with our Lord at 8:15 a.m. on December 11, 2007. Known as Don Hebert on the local radio air waves, he enjoyed a long career as a Radio Disc Jockey in the Golden Triangle. His passion for music had him in several local bands as a young man and a primary Disc Jockey position on KTRM Country Music Radio. Early in his radio career he became instrumental in developing a Gospel Music format at KTRM which grew into a full-time ministry. He eventually moved his Radio Ministry to KDLF Christian Radio in Port Neches. Don’s active promotion of Gospel Music in the Golden Triangle landed him many accolades by prominent national Gospel Music industry leaders. He was also lovingly known in the Golden Triangle as “Mr. Gospel Music” by the many friends he gained while living his passion for spreading the Gospel of Christ through the air waves.
Don, being legally blind, was also an active long-time member of the Texas Federation of the Blind which promotes the betterment of all Blind persons.
Don is survived by three children, Jim Hebert and wife Indra, Cathy Taylor and husband Rick , and Roger Hebert and wife Becky; eight grandchildren, Alexandra, Chase, Kristin, Jordan, Nolan, Matthew, Katherine, and Addison; brothers, Rodney, Gerald, and Kenneth Hebert; sisters, Margaret Williams and Glenda Garza; and a host of other family and friends that will miss him dearly.
Memorial Service allowing his friends and family to remember and celebrate his life will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 14, 2007 at Church on the Rock–North, 8060 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, Texas.
Flowers may be delivered to the church after 8:00 a.m. on the day of the service.
Donations may also be provided in lieu of flowers to the organization which supports research for Retinitis Pigmentosa, which is the eye disease that caused Don’s blindness. This organization can be contacted at http://www.blindness.org/ReginitisPigmentosa/ or 800-683-5555. Donations will be accepted in the name of James Donald Hebert.
