Gil Rector, 85, of Orange, passed away on June 7, 2021, in Beaumont.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 13, 2021, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Cremation will be held under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Born in Nacogdoches, Texas, on August 29, 1935, he was the son of Norman Leon Rector and Leslie Allison (Pitts) Rector. Gil served bravely in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany attached to the 5th MASH Unit.
After his honerable discharge, Gil returned to Beaumont,TX and began to pursue a career in Education. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Lamar University and upon graduation began his 60+ years in education by teaching in Houston. He then moved back to Beaumont and taught at Forest Park High School while completing his Master’s degree at Sam Houston State University, and moving into an administrative role as the Assistant Principal at Forest Park High School.In 1974 he and his family moved to Orange, TX where he served as Principle of LCM High School for three years. He has also worked at Hamshire Fannett ISD, Lufkin ISD, and Hardin Jefferson ISD. He was an adjunct Professor at Galveston Community College and Lamar State College Orange. In his “spare” time he ran a successful business selling “Gil’s Goobers”, which he hand roasted and pies from a bakery in Conroe, TX.
After his “retirement” he began teaching at the Jefferson County Youth Acadamy. He loved learning and passing his knowledge onto his students, and anyone within ear shot! Gil dedicated his life to education. He was an exceptional teacher and couldn’t go anywhere without running into former students, and remained proud of all of their accomplishments. Gil loved learning about German and Civil War history, reading, and studying comparative religions.. Gil attended First Christian Church in Orange where he cultivated many cherished friendships. He was lovingly referred to as “Pops’ by his granddaughter, whom he couldn’t have been more proud of. Gil enjoyed fishing, hunting, listening to all types of music, and loved reminiscing and sharing stories with his friends. He will be deeply missed by all those who came to know and love him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Leslie Rector and his brother Malcolm Rector
He is survived by his daughter, Rachel Choate; son-in-law, John Scarchilli; and granddaughter, Callie Choate and numerous nephews, cousins, and dear friends whom he loved dearly.
Condolences
James Rice
November 23, 2025
My first Principal as a new teacher Hardin-Jefferson HS. 1982. Good man. Rest in peace
Bonnie Pitts Windham And Thomasann Pitts Butler
June 12, 2021
Bonnie Pitts Windham and Thomasann Pitts Butler purchased the Country Basket Blooms for the family of Marcus Gil Rector.
Claybar Funeral Home
June 12, 2021
112 files added to the album LifeTributes
Aj & Nicole
June 11, 2021
AJ & Nicole purchased the Strength & Solace Spray for the family of Marcus Gil Rector.
Anonymous
June 11, 2021
Emerald Garden Basket was purchased for the family of Marcus Gil Rector.
Anonymous
June 11, 2021
Heart's Companion Bouquet was purchased for the family of Marcus Gil Rector.
Anonymous
June 10, 2021
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Marcus Gil Rector.
Sherri Hardesty
June 10, 2021
he was principal at LCM while I was there , I dont remember a whole lot because I was VERY quiet and shy but I definitely remember this sweet man -what a great life he led , I know he will be missed
John Scarchilli
June 10, 2021
13 files added to the tribute wall
John Scarchilli
June 10, 2021
114 files added to the album More Memories
John Scarchilli
June 10, 2021
10 files added to the album Memories Album
Anonymous
June 9, 2021
Love's Journey was purchased for the family of Marcus Gil Rector.
Donald West
June 9, 2021
At our Freshman year at Lamar, in order to see if qualified for English we had to take a vocabulary test. We were asked to define "dogmatic". Gil wrote that it was "the automatic transmission on a Greyhound bus" What a sense of humor he had, always with a winsome smile. Don West
John Scarchilli
June 9, 2021
John Scarchilli lit a candle in memory of Marcus Gil Rector
Andrea Alvarez Beck
June 9, 2021
What a fun guy who spoke his mind! A ran across Mr. Rector a few years back, and we shared a funny memory from when I was in high school at Hamshire Fannett in the late 70s and he remembered everything! I had a sports car, and had already got in trouble for having a heavy foot. Mr. Rector went with me to the Jefferson county courthouse and told them I would "do better"! He was fun and didn't mind standing up for me when I was a teenager. And he was just as delightful when I saw him a few years back. He had been a long time friend of my father and I so enjoyed seeing him. He even gave me advice to pass along to my son who was at the same age that I was when I first met him and he didn't mince any words about what he had to say. I know his advice will be greatly missed by everyone that loved him. Andrea Alvarez Beck