Douglas Joseph Venable, Sr., age 91, of Orange, Texas, passed away on October 15, 2026 after bravely struggling with multiple health issues. We warmly thank the staff and caregivers of Accent Home Health for their aide in the last 9 months of his life.
Doug was was born on May 1, 1935, in Beaumont, Texas, the first child to A.B. Venable and Gladys St. Germain Venable. He attended St. Mary's school in Orange and graduated high school 1952. He joined the army and served in Germany for 2 years then also as a reservist.
He will be remembered as a warm and loving man who found joy in many aspects of life. He had a passion for music, expressed through playing his guitar, and enjoyed the camaraderie many rounds of golf, pre and post-retirement with buddies at D.E.R.A. in Orange as well as numerous friendly competitions of chess. He worked at Dupont for a number of years then preferred opening his own small business, Venable T.V. in Bridge City then later in Orange.
He was an avid sports enthusiast and loved cheering on his favorite teams in football & baseball as well as the watching horse racing...especially the big 3 annual thoroughbred races. He learned to love horses while still a child. The sport of racing fascinated him after spending time with the young jockeys at his grandfather's stables/ track in Orangefield.
As a young man he loved duck & dove hunting in the local marshes. A bit later the he found peace sailing his boat on Sabine Lake, and taking friends and family for days of sun & fun. He also enjoyed expanding his knowledge by watching documentaries and reading non-fiction, but most especially his Bible. He was a devoted, longtime member of Community Church in Orange and cherished his church prayer group.
Doug was affectionately known as "Paw Paw" to his grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. He is survived by his children, Elizabeth Guess and husband Barry, Lisa Nelms, Douglas Venable, Jr. and wife Heidi, Charles Venable and wife Leslie, and Chris Frauenberger Venable and his step-children, Jackie White, Leon Michael Wallace, and Karen Foght. He is also survived by his grandchildren, McKay Nelms, Cassidy Venable, Oliver Venable-Rose, Willow Venable-Rose and husband Aaron, Gwynith Venable-Rose, James Tarbutton and wife Micah, Amity Griffith and husband Howard, Gracie Frauenberger, J.D. Tohill, Ryan Ramsey, Sydney Moreno and husband Matt; his great-grandchildren, Jamey Tarbutton, Arwen Tarbutton, Avery Tohill, Tristan Tohill, and Aurora Griffith; his sister, Jeanette Burleson; his daughter-in-law, Felicia Tarbutton; his nephew, Gerald Lindsey, Jr.; his niece, Charlean Lindsey; and numerous great-nieces and nephews, family members, and friends.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, A.B. and Gladys Venable; his wife, Sue Venable; his grandson, Joshua White; his step-son, Danny Tarbutton; and his nephews, Todd Lindsey and Chad Lindsey.
A visitation will be held on October 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM at Claybar Funeral Home - Orange, located at 504 N. 5th St., Orange, TX 77630. Pastor Stephen Samuel to officiate.