Cecil Burns Eubanks, Jr.

Cecil was my older brother, my only sibling. He was also my roommate. (We grew up in a 2-bedroom home.) And he was my friend. We didn't fight. We liked each other!

Growing up, we had lots of aunts and uncles and cousins. All holidays were spent at our great grandmother's house. We called her NeNe. We also shared a house at Medina Lake with all these relatives and our times together were loud and fun and full of good things to eat!!

But, as the years went by, and the generations died off, the family group became smaller and the times together faded away. Cecil and Elayne and Chuck and I somehow became the elders. We relied heavily on each other to raise our children and celebrate the family traditions we cherished.

We routinely went to Port Aransas, the family's "happy place." We celebrated holidays and birthdays together. Cecil was our family historian and told important stories of the Family Tree. Facts I did not know or remember.

When we were together, we didn't throw the ball around. We didn't play the piano and sing. We didn't do puzzles. We TALKED. We talked about important things and unimportant things. We talked about oceans and politics and planting fruit trees. We talked about the good ol' days and the problems of the world. We talked about things we had already talked about. We never got tired of talking!!

Cecil sat in Marthy's (Chuck's grandmother) wicker rocking chair in our living room, with a cup of coffee, and we talked. The rocking chair sits empty. Sadness fills our hearts. Cecil was an A&M Maritime Academy graduate. Cecil loved the sea. Cecil loved his home and his yard. Cecil loved his family. Cecil was a real "humdinger."

Thoughts from his oldest daughter, Evin:

Husband, father, brother, son, devoted and loyal friend.

Dad was a teacher, a learner, with an insatiable curiosity about the world. To him a little knowledge was a dangerous thing, so he always encouraged learning.

Dad would sit quietly with a cup of coffee and watch the waves ebb and flow. He saw beauty in stillness.

Time with family and close friends was most important to Dad, and it didn’t matter what we were doing - meals, coffee, vacation, running errands - as long as we were doing it together, always together.

Our talks, quiet moments at the beach, his advice, his many opinions, his unwavering support, his hugs and laughter, his unconditional love- this is what I will miss but will never lose.

See you at the Wharf Cat, Dad.

Thoughts from his youngest daughter, Lauren:

You taught me the correct, scientific names for every phase of the moon and every type of cloud. Cumulus Leviticus are what you hope for, at sea. Fair weather clouds of summer. An assurance of smooth seas. Cumulonimbus, though, will always be our favorite - both of us. Big ol’ thunderheads, indicating big weather is comin’. The majesty of nature and we get to feel it, watch it, and stand in awe of it.

You planted perennials because, even when they die, you have to work to trim them back down to their origins and prepare them for their return. If you take care of them, they’re never really gone.

“They’ll come back, right, Dad?”.“They will, Laurie. Just give it time. You can’t rush nature.”

I hope and believe that life is like nature. Nothing is ever really over. It just needs time to come back to what it once was.

Safe travels, Captain. Quick text when you get home safe.

Thoughts from his wife, Elayne:

November 19, 1965 was a date that changed my life forever. Little did I know that I had just met the man I was going to marry.

Cecil was attending Texas A&M Maritime Academy in Galveston after completing his first year of college on the main campus in College Station, Texas.

It was pretty much an instant attraction, even when he was in the company of three of his classmates. We were only 18 and 19 years old at the time. He was going to receive a commission in the Navy, upon graduation, and the rule at the time was that no one in the school could marry until graduation. This rule gave us time to grow up and make that decision out of maturity and not just wild-eyed love.

We were married 55 years, as of September 21, 2023. I think that decision was good one. We were blessed with two daughters who are beautiful, inside and out. Cecil was a wonderful Girl Dad! Just ask them.

He loved us all very much, as we did him. No matter how much time God gives, it is never enough when you lose someone that has been a part of your life for so many years.

I will miss you, my sweet husband.

"May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sunshine always warm your face, the rain fall upon your fields and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

MEMORIAL SERVICESATURDAY, MARCH 2 AT 2:00 PMST. MATTHEW’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH2738 MACARTHUR VIEWSAN ANTONIO, TX 78217

SHARING OF MEMORIES, PRAYERS, AND LAYING TO REST THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2:00 PMPORT BOLIVAR COMMUNITY CEMETERY4077 TX-87 PORT BOLIVAR, TX 77650

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the Bolivar Point Lighthouse Foundation