C. Dean Eberhardt, 92, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, Beaumont. He was born on February 1, 1921, to Minnie Shandy Eberhard and Daniel Eberhard, in Junction City, Kansas. He was a United States Navy First Class Petty Officer in the Seabees during World War II. He served in the 46th Battalion in Guadalcanal, New Guinea and Admiralty Islands.
Dean Eberhardt graduated from Beaumont High School in 1941 and attended Lamar Junior College. He retired from Pipefitters Local 195. He served on the YMCA board of directors and held several positions with the YMBL.
Dean’s passion in life was sports. He was an avid golfer, playing the game as he always said, eight days a week. He enjoyed playing baseball and was a professional scout for the Houston Colt 45’s and Houston Astros. He was also a member of the Southwest Football Officials Association for 24 years. Most of all, his favorite sporting events to attend were the ones involving his grandchildren.
Dean was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church for 46 years. His love for his church and the Lord were very evident in his life. For the last nine years, he was an active member of the Kairos Prison Ministry, which was very dear to his heart.
He was a loving husband, Dad, Papaw, and friend. He will be dearly missed.
Survivors include his wife, Louise Whitman Eberhardt; son, Dennis D. Eberhardt, and his wife, Nancy, all of Beaumont; step-daughter, Mary Betty James, and her husband, Bela, of Montgomery; grandchildren, David Eberhardt; Jason Eberhardt and his wife, Stacy; Samantha Eberhardt; and Ashley Eberhardt Spencer and her husband, Bradley; step-grandchildren, Marlo James Wilton and her husband, Stan; and Adam James and his wife, Brooke; great-grandchildren, Alexis Eberhardt, Ian Eberhardt and Bella Eberhardt; step-great-grandchildren, Haley Wilton, Macey Wilton, Alea James and Opal James; nieces, Glenda Ester, Kris Campbell and nephew, Eric Kotulan.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Hilda Eberhardt; and sister, Faye Jessen.
A gathering of Mr. Eberhardt’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 5, 2013, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. There will be an additional gathering at 1:00 p.m., with his funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 6, 2013, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 777 North 4th Street, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont. Serving as pallbearers are Gene Fears, Jason Eberhardt, Brad Spencer, Steve Fulmer, David Eberhardt, Bela James, and Grady Hatton. Honorary pallbearers are Warner Williams, J.T. Beckman, Beau Hicks, and Clint Smith.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 777 North 4th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or St. Paul United Methodist Church, 4445 Pershing Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77705.
