ElRay Philen, Sr., 79, of Bridge City, passed away on August 14, 2022, at the Medical Center in Port Arthur, Texas surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 19, 2022, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Officiating will be Pastor Mark Dubon of Groves Community Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 19, 2022, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Born in Montgomery, LA, on January 20, 1943, he was the son of Albon and Hazel Philen. ElRay was a devoted husband and father. He was married to the love of his life for 55 years, him and his recently belated wife enjoyed the little things like long drives together. ElRay and his wife Bobbie were inseparable. Even in death, they could not be apart as they died 10 days apart. This is a testimony to their love for each other and may their love live an eternity in heaven.

ElRay joined the United States Army in 1967 and honorably served his country as a wireman and maintenance technician for several years. He was proud to be Vietnam War Veteran. ElRay went on to work on pipelines from Texas to Alaska for an extended period and was a member of boilermaker and pipefitter unions. ElRay later worked in the maintenance department for Little Cypress-Mauriceville ISD for 11 years and for Bridge City ISD for two years. He took pride in working hard to take care of his family, but ElRay always took time to spend with his loved ones. He loved being a jokester and cutting up and will be remembered for his ability to make everyone laugh whenever possible.

Like his wife, he loved going to church, as well as hunting, fishing, and making memories with his family and friends. ElRay will be dearly missed and cherished by all who knew and loved him.

He was just preceded in death by his soulmate, Bobbie Philen; parents, Albon and Hazel Philen; brother, Albon Philen Jr.; sisters, Evelyn Broussard and Anita Hennigan; twin granddaughters, Christina and Stephanie Philen; and granddaughter, Kelcee` Cappel.

He is survived by his children and grandchildren, Ray Philen and wife Connie, and their son, Alex Philen of Germany; and Michael Philen and wife Kimberly, and their daughter, Kerrah Cappel of Bridge City; brother, Hershel Philen and wife Janet of Bridge City; as well as cousins, nieces, nephews, and fur babies Charley and Sam.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ben Broussard, David Hennigan, Kevin Philen, John Desper, Michael Montondon, and Larry Jacobs. Honorary pallbearers are Michael Philen, Ray Philen, Alex Philen, Hershel Philen, Jerry Broussard, Dutch Fox, Don Baum, Pat Broussard, Marlon Ray Verdine and Daniel Walker.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Animal Rescue Kingdom at www.arktexas.org in memory of ElRay and Bobbie Philen.