George John Poutra, Jr.

George John Poutra, Jr., slipped the bonds of earthly life on Sunday, January 17, 2010, to enter into eternal life with loved ones who went before him to live forever in the radiance of his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange with Reverend Lynn Ashcraft officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

George was born May 25, 1913, in Houston, Texas. His parents were George and Moscelene Troxell Poutra. He grew up in Houston Heights and in Beaumont, Texas, where he graduated from Beaumont High School in 1931, and was a member of the varsity golf team. George was led to profess his faith in Jesus Christ by a dear Sunday school teacher at Westminster Presbyterian Church. When his first and only love, Elizabeth Wiggins, moved with her parents to San Angelo, Texas, George followed them because he was "very much in love with Elizabeth." They were married by the late Dr. B. O. Wood in the First Presbyterian Church of San Angelo on August 2, 1934.

Two children were born to them in San Angelo: Claudia Elizabeth and George John, III, before they moved the family to Lake Charles, Louisiana, and then to Orange in 1943. George worked as a welder in the consolidated shipyards during the years of WWII. When the E. I. DuPont Company came to Orange, George was one of the first hires. He obtained his real estate license, also, and worked with Elizabeth for Davis Cooper and Jess Davis. He retired from DuPont, and until his passing was the oldest living retiree.

George was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder for many years.

A second son, Michael Jirou, was born and reared in Orange.

George had a warm affection for animals and for the outdoors. He especially enjoyed fishing and golfing. His father taught this sport to George and his three siblings, Elmer, Mossie, and Lois. George liked to relate the story on having been hitch hiking to River Oaks County Club in Houston when a limousine stopped to pick him up. The limo passenger was Walter Hagen who let George be his caddy. Over the years, he enjoyed playing in golf tournaments and watching professional golfers play. He played until his 95th year.

George was honored by his family on his 95th birthday and honored with his own day by the City of Orange with a presentation during a meeting of the Orange Rotary Club.

A lifelong love of baseball took him from being a member of the "Knothole Gang" of the Houston Buffalos to seeing the Astros play in the World Series.

He followed all the sporting activities of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; attending as many events as possible and always offering his enthusiasm and encouragement. George took pride in, and dearly loved his home and family. All of his family reciprocated that love and pride. He was the amazing hero to them all.

His wife of 71 years preceded him in death in 2005. His surviving family members are his children, and their spouses: Claudia and Don Hulse of San Angelo; John and Clare Poutra of San Antonio; Mike and Gwen Poutra of Orange. George was "Opa" to eight grandchildren and their spouses: Don and Tonice Hulse of Roswell, GA; Dana Hulse Green and Shawn Green of San Angelo; Dwain and Allison Hulse of Ft. Worth; David and Helen Hulse of Colleyville; Bert and Karen Poutra of San Antonio; Sylvie Poutra Witten and Jamie Witten of Georgetown; Darren and Noemi Poutra of Houston; and Blake and Lauren Poutra of Houston. Opa had a wonderful dozen of great-grandchildren ranging in age from 21 to 2 years: Joshua Don and Jordan Leigh Hulse, Jaxon and Haylee Hulse, Ava and Raleigh Hulse, Garison Partusch, Dillon and Hunter John Witten, Brock and Brooklyn Poutra, and Lucas Poutra. Other survivors include his sister, Moscelene Myers of Houston, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sara and Bevie DeMoville of Kingsland, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Go in peace, dearest one.