Henry John Darder

Henry John Darder, 92, longtime resident of Bridge City, Texas, passed away on January 7, 2020, in Beaumont, Texas.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 10, 2020, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Bridge City. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves, Texas.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a recitation of the Rosary at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, January 9, 2020, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Born in Port Arthur, Texas, on November 8, 1927, he was the son of Vincent Darder and Odelia (Letulle) Darder. Henry proudly served his country during World War II in the Merchant Marines and in the United States Army as a medic. He grew up working on the family dairy farm, milking cows and making deliveries. Henry later went on to work as an operator at Texaco Refinery in Port Arthur for many years before retiring. He was a faithful member of St. Henry Catholic Church. Henry was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and served as a Fourth Degree Knight, as well as a former Grand Knight. When his children were growing up, he was a Scout Master for their Boy Scout Troop and coached their youth baseball teams. Henry was a man who always liked to have something to occupy his time and often worked side jobs. He was an artist and oil painter, and more recently he built and welded large, impressive barbeque pits. Henry participated in many altruistic community service projects. He also enjoyed cooking, especially barbequing brisket, eating, storytelling, fishing, and doing anything adventurous. Above all, he loved spending time with his family. Henry will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Joseph Darder; his parents, Vincent and Odelia Darder; and his brothers, L. J. Darder and Oray Darder.

He is survived by his loving wife of 73 and a half years, Ruth Ann Darder of Bridge City; his children, Johnny Darder and wife Becky of Cresson, Cindy Hebert and husband Gerald of Bridge City, Mark Darder and wife Soon Young of Manassa, Virginia, and Mary Touchstone and husband Daryl of Nederland; his grandchildren, Kendall Darder, Craig Darder and wife Heather, Keith Sirmons and wife Estella, Paul Hebert, James Lambert and wife Melissa, Scott Lambert, Chris Darder and wife Katie, Daniel Darder and wife Camille, Amber James and husband Duncan, Ali Denham and husband Lynn, and Kelli Touchstone; as well as 17 great-grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Kendall Darder, Craig Darder, Keith Sirmons, Paul Hebert, James Lambert, Scott Lambert, Chris Darder, and Daniel Darder.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.