Delmar Clyde Basinger, 71, of Beaumont, passed away on July 21, 2020.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 1, 2020, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., prior to the service, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Smackover, Arkansas, on June 3, 1949, he was the son of James Frank Basinger, Jr. and Dorothy Orie (Preston) Basinger. Extremely close with his parents and sister, Del loved his entire family fiercely, and was extremely proud of all his sons and daughters. He loved all his children with all his heart and cherished every moment that he had with them.

Affectionately known to all as “Coach Bay”, Del had a long and storied career in education as a dedicated Teacher and Coach for over 46 years.

He proudly and selflessly served the children in many communities from De Queen, AR, Anahuac, Tx, Kountze, Tx, Beaumont, Tx and ended his career with 16 years of service at West Orange Stark High School in Orange, Tx. Throughout his career he won multiple State Championships in both Football and Track and was inducted into the Southeast Texas Coaches Association’s Hall of Honor. Despite his many accolades, he was most proud of seeing his students and players grow into fine men and women and followed all of their successes in life with great joy.

Del was one who always sought to find the positives in life and live each moment to the fullest. Always with a ready smile, and never one to meet a stranger, he found great joy in meeting new people and making new friends wherever he could. Generous of spirit, he would often go without material trappings in order to make sure he could help someone in need. With an abundance of country charm, he loved nothing more than to be surrounded by people in fellowship; whether that be at the horse races, dancing the two-step with anyone in arm’s reach, or just spending hours sipping coffee and chatting with friends and family.

He saw himself as a simply country boy, lived his life by country values and tried to instill those values of hard work, compassion for all, dedication, and love of life into every student he impacted throughout the years. His legacy will no doubt live on in the thousands of young men and women that he positively impacted during a fulfilling and accomplished life of service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Dorothy Basinger.

He is survived by his children, Brandon Basinger of Beaumont, Bryce Basinger and wife Mindi of Abilene, Chase Basinger and wife Angel of Warren, Coty Basinger and wife Anais of Lumberton, Olivia Basinger of Houston, and Holly Williams of Beaumont; grandchildren, Kyndol Basinger, Christian Snow, Dominic Snow, Keera Johnson, Caleb Basinger, Piper Basinger, and Liam Alvarez; sister, Sharon Lea and husband Joe of Cleveland, Arkansas; and nephews, Mike Haynes, Bill Haynes, and Bobby Haynes; along with numerous other loving family, friends & colleagues.