Eugene P. "Gene" Richard

Eugene P. “Gene” Richard, 71, of Port Arthur, Texas passed away on Monday, December 11, 2023, at his residence in Port Arthur with his loving family at his side.

Eugene was born on May 21, 1951, in Church Point, Louisiana to Viola Miller Richard and Layson Lionel Richard, Sr.  He was an operator for Great Lakes Carbon for over forty years and a member of St. Charles Catholic Church in Nederland.  Gene lived in the area since he was three years old and was devoted to his Catholic faith, praying the Rosary at least twice a day.  He loved traveling with the love of his life of forty-seven years, Catherine Esclovon Richard, going on cruises to foreign countries and going through mostly all 50 states.  Gene and Catherine would go on 28 day cruises and enjoyed exploring new places and meeting new people.  He also loved taking road trips on his motorcycle.  Gene was a hard worker but he was best known as a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved his grandchildren dearly, they were his life; he loved them and they loved him.  He left the world a better place by being in it and the people who loved him are blessed to have known him.

Survivors include his wife, Catherine Esclovon Richard of Port Arthur; daughters, Tiffany Weatherford and husband Brian of Alto and Kristina Smith and her husband Daniel of Hamshire; grandchildren, James Richard and his wife Kayla of Groves, Trent Richard of Groves, Isaack Weatherford of Alto, Emily Weatherford of Alto, Gavin Swink of Hamshire, MacKenzie Smith of Hamshire; step grandsons, Joseph, Jerrad and Justin Smith all of Sulphur, Louisiana his brother, Bobby Richard and his wife Sharon of Mount Belvieu, Texas; daughter-in-law Toya Loupe and her husband Chad of Groves.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Layson and Viola Richard, Sr.; brother, Layson Richard, Jr. and his son, Jason Paul Richard.

A gathering of Family and Friends will take place from 12:00 p.m. until 12:30 p.m. January 13, 2024, at Melancon-Levingston Funeral Home in Nederland with a Rosary to be recited at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.  A “Celebration of Life” Memorial Service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Melancon-Levingston Funeral Home.  Private Family cremation services will take place at a later date.