Today we remember and celebrate the life of our beloved father, grandfather, and friend, Homer Henry Brodeur.
Homer was the eldest son of seven children. He was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on October 1, 1925. He was always an industrious and hard working person. He was busy as a boy of around 5-6 years of age picking tobacco leaves with his mother in Quebec. He had a newspaper route around 11 years of age and sold apples and delivered fruit in town to help his family.
When he became eligible to join the service, he became a Marine and served in World War II on the island of Iwo Jima where he earned the Bronze Star. He studied at night and took classes to earn his GED. Upon his return, he worked in a munitions factory and a grocery store. He attended college and graduated from Lenoir Rhyne in Hickory, NC. He began working for Crawford Insurance. Because he spoke French, they sent him to Lake Charles, LA where he met Lila Rahbany. He and Lila were married in September 1952 and soon after began their family. Homer took a position with Underwriters Adjusting Company and moved their family to Lumberton, TX. He and Lila became involved in the community. Homer became a member of the Lumberton Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Lumberton Public Library, and served on the Hardin County Appraisal Board. He also helped to start an investment group for local businessmen and was well-known and respected throughout the community.
Homer is preceded in death by Lila, the love of his life, and a son, Patrick, who died at birth.
He is survived by his sister, Jeanette Lizza of New Braunsfel and his three children, Deborah Gibson of Houston, Mark Brodeur and wife Tracey, of Conroe, and Susan Gilbert and husband David, of Lumberton; and five grandchildren: Leaha, Garrett, Hayden, Nathan and Taylor and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to support the Lumberton Public Library or the Lumberton Women's Civic League towards the Lila Brodeur Scholarship Fund.
Funeral services will be 1:00 pm Friday, December 26, 2014 at Farmer Funeral Home in Silsbee with interment following in Hooks Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 10:00 am until time of service.
