Sterling Henry Simoneaux

Sterling Henry Simoneaux, 90, of Bridge City, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on September 18, 2023.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City, Texas. Officiating will be Father Ernie Carpio. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange, Texas. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Air Force.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday September 22, 2023, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Born in Port Arthur, Texas, on February 13, 1933, he was the son of Ravain Simoneaux and Cecile Olivier Simoneaux. He served in law enforcement for 25 years, during which time he worked for the Orange County Sherriff Department, the Bridge City Police Department, and the Jefferson County Sherriff Department. He was also retired from the U.S. Air Force, where he served 20 years. He was briefly stationed at Bentwaters Air Force Base in England where he met the love of his life, Hazel Heather Smith. They married in Woodbridge, England at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Sterling was affectionately called “Papoo” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ravain and Cecile Simoneaux; his infant son, Michael; his sisters, Marcella Simoneaux Askew and Jeanette Simoneaux Tamplin; and his brothers, Charles Simoneaux and Richard Simoneaux.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Hazel Smith Simoneaux; his daughters, Sharon Myers and husband Byron of Orange, Texas, and Denise Sams and husband Chester of Hemphill, Texas; his son Sterling M Simoneaux and wife Andrea of Bridge City, Texas; his 7 grandchildren; and his 8 great-grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be Brandon Simoneaux, Jeremy Simmons, Chase Simmons, Byron Myers, Chester Sams, and Ron Tamplin.