Harold Paul Rabalais

Harold Paul Rabalais, 81, of Cove, Texas, passed away on November 7, 2007, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sadie Mayeux Rabalais, seven children, 21 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Born in 1926 to French-speaking parents Elvis and Mamie Rabalais of Simmesport, La., Harold spent his early years farming along Yellow Bayou, a homestead that still makes memories for his large, extended family.

Harold was a U.S. Navy WWII and Korean Conflict veteran, a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Mont Belvieu, Texas, a retired electrician from James River Corp. in Zachary, La. and a member of the Zachary Historic Society, where he enjoyed sharing his blacksmithing skills and rich work ethic with young students.

Harold leaves behind a loving daughter, Marie, and son-in-law, Arthur Crowe, of Tyler, Texas; sons and spouses Paul and Arla Rabalais of Fairfield, Iowa; Clifford and Michelle Rabalais of Muscle Shoals, Ala; John Eric and Lindsey Rabalais of Lafayette, La.; Martin Rabalais and Mardi Hammond of Wichita, Kan; Karl and Beth Rabalais of Ft. Worth, Texas; and Joe and Carla Rabalais of Cove, Texas. He is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence and Mary Lee Rabalais of Vicksburg, Miss.; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Bertile and William “Bud” Johnston of Simmesport, La., and Louise and Van Junot of Plaquemine, La.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, November 8, at Navarre Funeral Home, with a recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 9, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Mont Belvieu, Texas. Interment will follow at Houston National Cemetery at 2:20 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for masses or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601-7633, www.alz.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook, Baytown, TX 77521, (281) 422-8111.