Lawrence A. Viator

Lawrence Amedee Viator was born in New Iberia, Louisiana on October 6, 1917. He was the youngest of eight children born to Amedee Laurent Viator and Elodie Marie (Boutte) Viator. His family migrated to Beaumont, Texas after he was born, where he was raised.

Lawrence was an avid athlete and competed in all team sports and was a member of St. Anthony High School’s (Beaumont) undefeated championship football team in 1936; in his mid-50’s, he could still punt a football 60 yards. He also played minor-league baseball for a time with the Rayne Rice Birds in Rayne, Louisiana of the Evangeline League.

Due to a childhood injury, Lawrence served his country as a civil servant during World War II, working on Adak (Alaska) in the Aleutian chain of islands where he claimed the wind never stopped blowing.

In the 1950’s, Lawrence married Margaret Helen (Sifuentes) Viator and they relocated to Houston, Texas where he began working for Oshman’s Sporting Goods. His tenure with Oshman’s and its successor company lasted until the facility closed in 2007 when he was 90; he had a renowned work ethic.

Lawrence is survived by his loving and devoted wife Margaret; his son Christopher L. Viator, and wife Helen Bechtel Viator of Houston; and his son Michael D. Viator and wife Virginia (Ginger) Hicks Viator of Spring, Texas.

The family appreciates the many thoughts, kindnesses, and prayers extended, and gives special thanks to Bernadette Simpson, Samantha Terry, Alex Extrimadura, and Ruth Ann Dalida for their loving care and kind patience.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston; Monsignor Kelly High School, Beaumont, Texas; or to the charity of your choice.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at Brookside Funeral Home with a rosary to begin at 7:00 pm Tuesday evening. Private interment will be at Brookside Memorial Park.