Roger Lourde

Roger Lourde passed away on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. He was born to Jake and Vernell Cordell on May 28, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up with two older sisters, Inez and Dorothy, and one younger sister, Chris.

Roger’s first job after high school was at the Chrysler Corporation in Detroit. He moved to Beaumont in 1976 and became a naturalized Texan. His first job in Texas was with Houston Offshore International-first as a roustabout and then a crane operator.

While on vacation in October 1979, Roger met Judy Meynig. She worked at Baptist Hospital and had the same 7 on 7 off schedule that he had. It was truly “love at first sight” and “a match made in heaven”. They married on August 2, 1980 (her parents wedding anniversary).

Roger and Judy’s first child, Ryan Lee, was born March 3, 1983. In 1985, Roger was layed off from his job, so Judy went back to work full time. Roger became a stay-at-home dad and a student at Lamar University. He and his son had a very close relationship. Roger coached Ryan’s baseball teams and was one of the leaders for his cub scout troop and his Royal Ambassador group at First Baptist Church. Roger was also a member of the T.V. Ministry Team and enjoyed helping in Vacation Bible School. As a member of Calder Baptist, he served on the Welcoming Committee.

On June 1, 1989, their daughter, Juliana, was born. Ryan was in school by now, so daddy and daughter developed a close relationship. She was daddy’s little red-haired angel.

The year 1992 was a very special year. Roger turned 40 on May 28, his second son, Patrick, was born on November 12 and Roger received his Associates Degree in Electronics from Lamar in December.

Before returning to the workplace, Roger served as President of Evening Optimist Little League for three years. He also umpired many Little League and Senior League games. He dreamed of being an umpire in the Little League World Series one day.

Roger’s employment as a technician for Ikon Office Solutions put his degree to work for seven years. He them became the Maintenance Supervisor for HEB on Dowlen until his retirement in 2016.

Roger loved to travel. His favorite city was San Francisco and he dreamed of taking Judy there one day. He took his family on many trips to Michigan and Tennessee. He had a big trip planned for the family in 1991, but Judy found out she was expecting a baby (Patrick) and didn’t think the drive would be much fun in her condition and with a three year old in tow. So, Roger and Ryan hooked up the popup camper and travelled to Tombstone, Arizona, and Las Vegas and took a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. It was the trip of a lifetime for a nine year old and his dad, and they reminisced about it for years!

Over the years, Roger and Judy enjoyed going to rock concerts and festivals. Roger had attended Woodstock back in the day. They saw groups like Jefferson Starship, the Temptations, the Who, the Rolling Stones, and Queen to name a few.

Roger was a member of the YMBL and die hard member of the NRA.

Roger is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Inez Uhl and Dorothy Apfel Watkins; son, Ryan Lourde; father-in-law, Bob Meynig; and nephew, Jimmy Uhl.

He is survived by his wife of thirty-seven years, Judy Lourde; daughter, Juliana Lorde; son, Patrick Lourde of Austin; mother-in-law, Patricia Meynig; brothers-in-law, Karl Meynig of Beaumont and Jeff Meynig and his wife, Lorie, of Austin; daughter-in-law, Casey Lourde; grandchildren, Landon and Aiden Lourde and Kash, Keaton, and Karson Rice; sister, Chris Hoover and her husband, Darrell, of Crossville, Tennessee; niece, Sandy Uhl of Conroe; nephews, Brian Apfel and his wife, Tina, of Lumberton; Brandon Willson and his wife, Roxane, of Newport Beach, California; Jeremy Willson of Traverse City, Michigan; and many aunts, uncles, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends in Texas, Ohio, Michigan, and Tennessee.

A gathering of Mr. Lourde’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 1, 2018, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A celebration of Roger’s life will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702.