Carl T. Birdsong, 76, of Beaumont, died Sunday, August 8, 2004 at Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital in Beaumont.
A native of Kilgore, Texas, he spent most of his childhood in Beulah Springs before moving to Beaumont in 1951. Carl was the owner of Birdsong Fuels and Services and was a United States Navy veteran, serving his country in World War II.
Carl was a tireless worker, not only for his family, but helped many other service station dealers by the passage of the temperature correction bill in the U.S. Congress and helped other dealers to be able to buy their service stations by his constant lobbying, thereby guaranteeing them an opportunity to compete with the major oil companies. He employed many young Beaumonters over the years teaching them the nuts and bolts of business ownership and management; many of whom went on to great success in their respective fields. He always had time for young and old alike who needed help and was many the time that he did major overhauls on traveler’s cars and sent them on their way with, “Pay me when you can”. He brought propane to many homes late into the night because he loved children and the elderly and could not stand the thought of them spending a night in a cold house.
He taught his children to work hard, never quit and to love each other above all else. His life and philosophy could best be expressed by, “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. He never forgot the pain of growing up poor, sometimes hungry and consequently, was usually a soft touch for anybody in need. Sometimes his kindness was taken for weakness’ but he never allowed it to make him bitter and he always had time for anyone in need. He loved the Lord, his family and taught them to be grateful for growing up in the greatest country in the world. It was his belief that a man was only limited by his willingness to work. His family is grateful to him for being a loving husband and father and they know that his pain is gone and he rests with our Father Jesus Christ.
Mr. Birdsong is survived by his wife, Jeanne Birdsong of Beaumont; sons, Tracy Birdsong and Tory Birdsong both of Beaumont; daughter, Tania Guseman and her husband Richard of Beaumont; sisters, Hulan McCloud of Magnolia Springs, Dorothy Byerly and Janelle Johnson both of Jasper, Linda Kitchens of Star City, Arkansas, Mary Lavon Campbell of Van Buren, Missouri; brother, Bill Birdsong and his wife Elvie of Jasper; and grandsons, Dylan Thomas Birdsong and Benjamin Guseman.
Funeral Service will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at Westgate Memorial Baptist Church in Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be Tuesday evening, August 10, 2004 from 6:30 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. at the mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to Lymphoma Research Foundation, 111 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10006.
