Eugene Russell Bebeau, 88, died Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, in Beaumont. Born September 26, 1923, in Palmar, Massachusetts, to Aurore Dumas Bebeau and Eugene Paul Bebeau, he was the second of five children and grew up in Danville, Virginia. He graduated from Hampden Sydney College, attended the University of Virginia Medical School where he completed his Anesthesia residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, the Class of 1953. Eugene then met his beloved wife, Grace Kouns, they married on August 3, 1953, and moved to Beaumont which became their home.
He, along with a dear friend, Bill Darnell, founded Anesthesia Associates of South East Texas and practiced medicine for forty-four years. It was the first group of anesthesiologist in Texas.
The greatest love of his life was for his wife and nine children born within a ten year span, which included two sets of twins. He was an avid sports fan, art coinsurer and world traveler.
Some highlights of his life, included being the Athletic Director and coach at St. Anne’s Catholic School, where he coached football, baseball and basketball for seven years. He also coached Little League baseball at Spindletop from 1964-1969, winning one city championship. He was President of Spindletop Little League for four years and eventually the Spindletop Little League Field was named “Bebeau” field. He took a great interest in the development of the youth of Beaumont both boys and girls. He also drove the cheerleaders and players to many games over the years.
He was a longtime supporter of St. Anne’s Catholic School, Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, Lamar University Athletics and Rice University Athletics, where he was a season football ticket holder for fifty years. One of his greatest attributes was his love of people; he truly never met a stranger and was a devote Roman Catholic.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Grace Marie Bebeau, who died in October of 1997; his brothers, Eddie and Fred; and his sister, Gertrude.
He is survived by his sister, Nancy; nine children; seventeen grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; close family friend, Lonnie Mae DuCre’; loving companion, Mary Louise Smith; and devoted nephew, Johnny Lowery.
The family would like to especially thank Dr. Gary Clayton, close personal family friend and the ICU staff at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, in Beaumont.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 8, 2011, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 7, 2011, with a Rosary recited at 6:30 p.m., at Broussard’s.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Anne Catholic School Foundation, 375 North 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702-1834; Lamar University Girls Basketball, 4440 South MLK Boulevard, P.O. Box 10009, Beaumont, Texas 77710; or a charity of your choice.
