James Richard Romero

James “Dickie” Romero, 82, of Orange, Texas, passed away peacefully after a year-long battle with cancer on August 22, 2026, at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on December 12, 1943 to Sidney Romero and Odile Pastorick Hebert.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Monday, August 31, 2026 at St. Helen Catholic Church in Orangefield, Texas. Officiating will be Father Michael Strother. Burial will follow at Autumn Oaks Memorial Park in Orange, Texas.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Texas.

Dickie married the love of his life, Elsie, on May 8, 1970. Their family and love grew with the birth of their first daughter Julie, and grew greater still with the birth of their second daughter, Leigh.

During his professional life, Dickie was a proud life-time member and advocate of the Pipe Fitters Local Union 195 which he worked under for 31 years.

After retiring, he loved spending his time tending a yard filled with plants and flowers and cultivating a garden that often overflowed with produce. Dickie brought that same generosity and care to his loved ones, who always looked forward to his Thanksgiving dinners and crawfish boils that not only served to entertain and nourish family and friends, but unite them in fellowship as well.

He took great pride in being a good neighbor and was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Dickie enjoyed hopping on his 4-wheeler and riding around the neighborhood, checking on family and friends and making sure everyone was doing well. Those visits were a special part of who he was, and everyone will dearly miss seeing him riding up on that 4-wheeler.

Dickie also prepared Sunday dinner for his immediate family each week, a tradition that gave those closest to him another opportunity to gather around his table. He rarely missed a game or recital in support of his daughters and then his grandchildren, as he made these a priority to show his love and support. He loved his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and extended family deeply, and few things brought him greater joy than spending time visiting and making memories with the people he loved.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Sidney Romero and Odile Pastorick Hebert and his siblings, Sidney “Sonny” Romero and Betty Smith.

Dickie is survived by his beloved wife, Elsie Romero, of 56 years; his loving daughters, Julie Fuller and fiance Matthew Day, and Leigh Romero and husband Mark Gifford; his grandchildren, Tristan Fuller and Riley Fuller. He also leaves behind numerous nephews, nieces, and other loving family and friends who will deeply miss him.

Serving as pallbearers will be Kirk Smith, Lonnie Romero, Kenny Romero, Robbie Smith, Tristan Fuller, and Dwayne Meurer.

The Romero family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Srinivas Kodali from Texas Oncology in Beaumont, Texas and Dr. Jo Ishizawa and his medical team at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas for their care and compassion.