Vernal “Vern” Gautreaux, 83, of Orange, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2020, in Beaumont, Texas.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 16, 2020, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange. Officiating will be Father Joseph P. Daleo. Burial will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Orange.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. A Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. with Deacon Bonneaux.

Born in Ville Platte, Louisiana, on July 24, 1936, he was the son of Albert Gotro and Hazel (Guillory) Gotro. Vern proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He later worked as QA/QC for DuPont for 25 years before retiring. Vern went on to work as a welding engineer for Fluor Engineering in Sugarland for 20 years before retiring for a second time. He also owned his own business in Little Cypress, Vari-Weld, building boats. In his free time, Vern enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was known for his loving and generous heart, and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Hazel Gotro; his loving wife of 47 years, Janell (Duhon) Gautreaux; his great-grandchild, Lazaya Longmire; and his brother, Webblee Gautreaux.

He is survived by his children, David Gautreaux of Orange, Debbie Gautreaux of Orange, Karen Feltman and husband Mark of Orange, Sharon Krueger and husband Dave of Dallas, and Robin Parker and husband Jamie of Fort Worth; his grandchildren, Jean Michelle Dickerson, Clay Dickerson, Justin Gautreaux, Kristy Gautreaux, Bryan Longmire, Chase Longmire, Jacob Krueger, Charity Krueger, Jessica Parker, and James Parker IV; his brother, Burke Gautreaux and wife Lesylee of Orange; as well as his 7 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

The family wants to thank Susan Haley for her special and most dearest friendship and companionship in his later years.