Angelo "AJ" DeJohn

Angelo (A.J.) Joseph DeJohn was born March 29, 1942 in Port Arthur, Texas to Ben and Frances DeJohn.

He passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loved ones, on September 14th, 2022 in Bridge City, TX.

A.J. grew up in a close-knit Italian family surrounded by many loving grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. As a young boy he passed his time in his grandfather’s bar in Beaumont or his family’s grocery store in downtown Port Arthur, DeJohn’s Grocery. With the store as a personal pantry, he honed his cooking skills and grew to be an incredible chef. When A.J. was 11, he gained a little brother, Bennie. He attended Bishop Byrne High School where he met his two great loves for the next 64 years, his wonderful wife Helen Bonnett DeJohn, and his best friend Morris Baker. The family takes comfort in knowing A.J. and Morris are once again together, no doubt calling out all the grosbecks in Heaven (if you know, you know).
Helen and A.J. married in 1963 and spent one-night in Galveston for their honeymoon. They quickly returned for A.J. to start a new job at Dupont Beaumont Works, where he would work for 34 years before retiring as a supervisor. They settled in Groves, TX and quickly had their first two children, Lori followed by Chad. They moved to Bridge City in 1971 and Angie was born shortly after. They raised their 3 children in Bridge City, living in the same home on Elizabeth St. for 26 years.

Helen & A.J. were blessed with 7 amazing grandchildren, and the joy of his last few years, his great-granddaughter, Leighton. They would frequently practice their secret handshake, and he says she was his favorite (and youngest) nurse.

A.J.’s hobby was having hobbies! He had many throughout the years: fishing, shrimping, hunting, golf, scuba diving, wood working, fast cars, motorcycles, camping & gambling. He would never pass up a good Texas Hold’em tournament…unless the Dallas Cowboys were playing.
A.J. was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Frances DeJohn, his older sister, Rose Marie and his best friend, Morris Baker.

He is survived by his loving wife, Helen, their children, Lori DeJohn, Chad DeJohn, Angie and her husband Grant Dorfman, his grandchildren, Bryce, Bailey, Ella, Yossi, Lance, Emma & Ryan, his great-granddaughter, Leighton, his brother, Bennie DeJohn, his in-laws, Connie & Wayne Butaud, Bill & Betty Bonnett, Sue Strickland along with several nieces, nephews and loving friends including Elaine Baker and her family.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Rosie Guillory for her excellent caregiving in his final years.

For those wishing to make donations, please direct them to St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Bridge City.

A memorial service will be held Friday, September 16, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Visitation will begin prior to the service at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Officiating will be Father Ernie Carpio of St Henry Catholic Church.