Clarence J. ?Junior? Trahan died Thursday, March 17, 2011, peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 20, 2011, at Faith United Methodist Church with Reverend Tony Hoefner, officiating. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange.
Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Saturday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
?If it?s worth doing? it?s worth doing right.? That was the life motto for Junior Trahan, also known as Clarence, Rompy, C.J., PawPaw and Papa J. And he never did anything half way. He was known to whistle while he worked, and oh did he work!
He was born on December 12, 1929, in Henry, Louisiana to parents Leta and Romile Trahan. After serving for a short time in the U.S. Air Force, he was granted an honorable discharge to return home to run his family?s gas station in Abbeville, Louisiana, after his father passed away. He later moved to Orange and began working for U.S. Steel, and met and married Charlene Bryan. In 1955, he was transferred to Orem, Utah and proudly participated in Geneva Steel?s production of its one millionth ton of steel!
In 1961, he returned to Orange, and went to work for Firestone, until he retired 31 years later, as Manager of the Shipping and Receiving Department. He earned his star in Heaven, caring for his wife of 40 years, Charlene, through her long and debilitating illness, until her death in 1994.
Then he met and married, the love of the ?Golden? years of his life, Dixie Dupuy Trahan. Dixie and Junior have enjoyed 15 years of marriage and have had a ball as partners in playing golf, travelling and working as leaders in their church, Faith United Methodist.
In addition to being known as a tireless worker in all aspects of his life, Junior was always the life of the party, with his plentiful Cajun jokes, and he brought laughter to all around him. He was a devoted father, an accomplished fisherman, gardener and Cajun chef and his crab eating lessons were legendary. Hard to pick what he did best - - but it might have been dancing ? the ladies all lined up to get a chance to be his partner!
He was an avid golfer and served for many years on the Board of Directors of Sunset Grove Country Club, where he took great joy in hassling all the other golfers on the course.
Besides his pride in his children, Junior?s proudest achievement was his leadership role, as Chairman of the Church Building Committee resulting in the creation of Faith United Methodist Church. He led the charge and labored tirelessly on landscaping, repair projects, and maintenance and much, much more!
Junior is survived by his children, Tanya Walker Goldbeck, Sharla Walker Marshall, Zona Trahan and John Trahan; grandchildren, Marty Goldbeck, Laura Goldbeck, David Goldbeck, Madison Trahan and Lane Marshall; great-grandchildren, Anthony, Neches and Olivia Goldbeck. And his wife, Dixie, and her children, whom he also loved dearly, Melissa Dupuy, Joey Dupuy and his wife, Wendy; grandchildren, Chris Bouley, Amber Dye and husband, Drew, Carlee Dupuy; and great-grandchild, Bailey Bouley.
He is also survived by his beloved sister in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, Dot Richard, her husband, John Richard, their 6 children including his Goddaughter, Brenda Richard; 18 great-nieces and nephews; 22 great great-nieces and nephews; and one great great great-nephew.
He taught us all the art of enjoying life, and the rewards of hard work. Heaven has gained a great new helper!
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Joseph Holland and patient coordinator Diane, for your exceptional care. And we thank Texas Home Health Hospice for your support and guidance.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Faith United Methodist Church Building Fund, 8608 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Orange, Texas 77632.