Jeff D. “Son” Marcontell, 96, of Elkhart died Saturday, January 8, 2011 at his residence. “Son” was born on May 1, 1914 in Thicket, Texas to Alfred Thomas and Frances Ada (Jordan) Marcontell. A resident of Elkhart for the past forty years, he was a retired operator from Humble Oil and Refinery (Exxon) in Baytown.
“Son” moved to Cedar Bayou, Texas at the age of twelve. He played in the first football game under lights for the Cedar Bayou Bears against Robert E. Lee. He was an avid sports fan and a loyal supporter of all his grand and great grandchildren sporting events.
He passed on his love of hunting and fishing to his family, and his favorite stories were about who got the big one. He served his church fellowships as deacon and teacher in service to his Lord. He was the last surviving member of the original Marcontell Quartet which began singing in the early 1930’s. He and his wife and children also sang as a family quartet. He deeply loved Southern gospel music and spent many hours singing from his old gospel song books.
“Son” is survived by his children, J.D. Marcontell and his wife Sissy of Mont Belvieu, Flo Wilburn and her husband L.C. of Mont Belvieu, Frankie White and her husband Alfred of Waxahachie, and the family of Pauline Musgrove Brackin Marcontell; his sister, Irene Wise of Woodville; grandchildren, Wade Marcontell and his wife Jennifer, Shelley Hardin and her husband Kevin, Ronny Wilburn and his wife Regina, Steve Wilburn and his wife Wanda, Dian McClung and her husband Tom, David White and his wife Sissy, Damon White and his wife Gladys, and Darryl White and his wife Crissy; great grandchildren, Ashley Hardin, Jacey Hardin, Anna Hardin, Jessica Hardin, Garrett Marcontell, Grace Marcontell, Kalan Wilburn, Andrea Moss, Katy Wilburn, Jana McClung, Kaylee McClung, Danielle White, Courtney Hart, Jonathan White, Jordan White, Brittni White, Nathan White, Joshua White, and Ethan White; two great-great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, Leona Winkler Marcontell; his second wife, Pauline Musgrove Brackin Marcontell; brothers, Albert Marcontell, Walter Marcontell, Tom Marcontell, J.C. “Buddy” Marcontell, and Ernest “Putt” Marcontell; and sisters, Nellie Brackin and Viola Marcontell.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 13, 2011, at Broussard’s, 530 W. Monroe, Kountze with Reverend Barney Walker and Reverend Billy Brackin officiating. Burial will follow at Hall Cemetery in Thicket. A gathering of family and friends will be Wednesday, January 12, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Broussard’s.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ronny Wilburn, Steve Wilburn, Wade Marcontell, David White, Damon White, and Darryl White. Honorary pallbearers will be Forrest Brackin, Bobby Swearingen, Rick Sumrall, Steve Marcontell, Claude Moore, Herbert Brackin, Eric Brackin, Jerry Marcontell, and Tracy Lippe.
The family has requested that memorial contributions be made in Mr. Marcontell’s name to Elkhart Assembly of God Building Fund, P. O. Box 173, Elkhart, Texas 75839.
