Deacon James “Jimmy” Gard, 78, of Nederland, died Saturday, August 18, 2012. He was born November 9, 1933, to Josephine Boutte Gard and Dwight Edwin Gard in Port Arthur. He became a lifelong resident of Nederland and a devout Catholic and family man. Jimmy was influenced by Father Fred Hardy, founder of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Father Hardy was a role model to Jimmy in his teenage and young adult years. Jimmy was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus. He received his 3rd and 4th Degree and served as Financial Secretary for the Father William Brooks Council #5145 for forty-five years. In 1983, Jimmy was ordained as a Deacon with the Catholic Diocese and served for almost thirty years as a permanent Deacon for St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Port Arthur. Some of his many duties as a Deacon included ministry to the sick, volunteering at the Hughen Center, and making prayers in church for those in need on a daily basis. Jimmy always offered everyone a tender smile and warm greeting. He retired from Sears where he worked in the Service Department.
Jimmy embraced the teachings of his faith and was known as a good steward of the church.
Survivors include Jimmy’s wife, Roberta Daisy Gard; and son, Tommy Gard, both of Nederland; daughter, Janice Hawkins of Lumberton; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Brittany McDonald and her husband, Chris, and their children, Lexi and Shelby; Alica McFaddin and her husband, Richi, and their children, Zac and Jasmyn; and Cassie Griffith and her husband, Corey, and their children, Jaycie and Logan; brother, Gene Gard of San Francisco, California; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and one sister.
A gathering of Deacon Gard’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2012, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 211 Hardy Avenue, Nederland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August, 22, 2012, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, with interment to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Port Arthur.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hughen Center, Inc., 2849 9th Avenue, Port Arthur, Texas 77640, or to Catholic Clerical Student Fund, c/o St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 130 Hardy Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627.
