Orey John Viator

Orey John Viator, Sr.
A Cajun Legend, in his own right, Orey John Viator, Sr. was reborn and went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 23, 2019, at the age of 81.

Orey was born on December 27, 1937, to Wedes & Irene Viator in New Iberia, Louisiana. At the age of 5 Orey and his family moved to Orange, Texas where he grew up and attended St. Mary’s, West Orange and Stark High School. In 1955 at the age of 18 Orey, then working at Irving’s Laundromat, worked with and later married the only woman for him, Patsy Nell Bland. Orey and Patsy married in 1957 and lived in Orange for 10 years. Those 10 years were busy ones for the two of them, four sons were born during that time. In 1967 the couple moved to their forever home in Mauriceville, Texas where the caboose was added, a baby girl, who would complete their family. Orey raised his family in the Catholic Church, he coached their little league teams, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club and the Volunteer Fire Department. Orey led his family by example, he taught them to love God, love each other and give all that you can to help others.

Orey worked at the shipyards and then became a professional painter. He was a member of the Painters Local 328. Orey worked hard and excelled at his craft. Patsy recalls with a tear in her eye that people would call the house and say “I want that Painter with the Radio” and she would tell them you have called the right place. His hard work set an example for all his children and he could not have been more proud than he was the day he brought his son, Jeff, with him to the Painters Local meeting. Jeff and Jerry Paul worked with and learned from their father and his example has served them well over the years. Orey’s sons, T-Ray and Ricky did not want to follow in their father’s footsteps in work but did follow and become very involved with their Knights of Columbus groups just like their father had done. Sunday mornings started with 105.3 and Cajun music on the radio before mass. Where ever he was when the music started playing he would start dancing and you might even hear an “Ayeee” or two because his heart was full and filled with joy when he heard those beautiful sounds. When Orey would hit the dance floor people would stop to watch as he and Patsy would Jitterbug, Two-Step, Swing and Waltz in each other’s arms to whatever Zydeco music was playing. I think the term “Legend” came about when he was seen dancing with Patsy and his daughter Kathy, one on each arm with precision moves at the speed of light. Orey loved hunting and fishing, he loved taking his children and later his grandchild out for a day of “Perch-Jerking”. “Oh that’s a big fish” he would say. He was also famous for saying “Oh you look so pretty” but to really appreciate this you had to hear him say the words. His voice rang out with love and happiness, filled with excitement for he truly loved life and all of his family in it.

Orey also enjoyed playing, Poker, Spades, Dominos, and maybe even a trip to the casino every now and then. His garden became his baby over the years, his vegetables were given the same love and care that his children were because that is the only way he knew how to do things, the right way. Orey and Patsy did everything together and they had fun, they laughed, and over the years they became popular for making Tamales. Their tamales, made a little money every now and again but the tamales did more than that. It gave them something else to do with each other, their kids and later their grandkids. Orey and Patsy have been married for 62 years, a love like theirs is hard to find and it will be remembered always.

Orey was preceded in death by his parents Wedes and Irene Viator.

Those left to love and treasure his memories are his wife, Patsy; his sister, Ellamae Welch and her husband Royce, of Pt. Acres; his sons, Orey (T-Ray) Viator, Jr. And his wife, Corliss of Liberty; Ricky Viator and his wife, Deborah; Jeff Viator and his wife Teresa, Jerry Paul Viator and wife, Staci, and his daughter Kathy Viator Keath and her husband Max, all of Mauriceville.

Eleven Grand Children; Ashley, Lindsay, Peyton, Joseph, Casey, Jennifer, Julianne Jacie, Balie, Stuart and Valerie and Twelve and a half Great-Grand Children: Laina, Landry, Brazos, Ellie, Zacharia, Gentry, Shiloh, Knighton, Rachel, Lane, Drake, Lucas and Brooklyn is on the way.

Family and friends are invited to attend:
Visitation will be Friday, October 25, 2019, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Claybar Funeral Home with the Wake starting at 6:00 pm. Funeral services will be on Saturday, October 26, 2019, at 12:00 noon at St. Maurice Catholic Church in Mauriceville, Texas.

Serving as Pallbearers are: T-Ray Viator, Ricky Viator, Jeff Viator, Jerry Paul Viator, Kathy & Max Keath
Honorary Pallbearers: Mark Duran and Orey’s Grandchildren.

Contributions in Orey’s Memory can be made to St. Maurice Catholic Church.