Behrend Evans Drost left for a better place on Feb. 20, 2014, in Sulphur, La., after a very brief battle with cancer. He was born Aug. 20, 1932, in Moss Lake, La., to Ernest Lanier Drost and Rosa Dorris Evans Drost. A lifelong resident of Sulphur, La., he graduated from Sulphur High School in 1950. After graduating from McNeese State University in 1954 with a B.S. in animal husbandry, he served in the U.S. Army in Olympia, Wash., during the Korean War. He returned to Sulphur to work as a lab technician for Hercules Power/Himont. In 1981 he received a certification in instrumentation from Sowela Technical Community College. After 32 years with Himont he retired. He later opened and operated Bicycles Etcetera with his wife, Cora Nadine Granger Drost. After selling the bicycle shop, Behrend drove for First Choice courier service and continued to rebuild and give away bicycles.
Behrend was a funny, entertaining guy who loved to garden and could build and fix almost anything. As a young man he designed and built several boats. During his life, he designed, built and improved several houses and other buildings. Until the end he continued to use his talents to help those less able. For this he was greatly admired and will be sorely missed. He and Nadine traveled extensively in all 50 United States, including Hawaii in 2005 to celebrate 50 years of marriage. He traveled to Nova Scotia to do research on the Duhon family and spent months camping in Canada and Alaska. He also traveled numerous times to Mexico on mission trips. His travel climax was to Israel and Egypt in 2011.
Behrend was an active church member and devoted family man throughout his life. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Sulphur, First Baptist Church of Maplewood, First Baptist Church of Lake Charles and Faith Temple, serving the Lord wherever he was lead. At the First Baptist Church of Sulphur he served as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher and BTU teacher of youth. Until the last weeks of his life, he was active in the Worship Choir and the Agin’ Cajun Choir.
Survivors left to contemplate his memory are his wife of 58 years; their children, Senetra Ruth Drost, Rahn Lanier Drost and wife Linda Ann Gary Drost and Dr. Joni Boncille Drost; his grandchildren, Kade Michelle Kelley and husband Christopher Calvin Kelley, Addison Casey Duplechain, Sofia Nima-Tziis Garcia, Brandi Morgan Drost, Blake Matthew Drost and Brooke Magen Drost; and great-granddaughter, Kadence Christine Kelley. He leaves three siblings, Rosemary Hebert, Ernest Allen Drost and wife Ruth Elizabeth and Dorris Ann Petross and husband James F. Petross Jr. He leaves a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Special friends are Charlotte Kay, Joshua Thomas and Kaitlynn Elizabeth Wheat. Waiting for him in heaven are his parents and Jessica Laine Wheat.
Service for Behrend will be Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Sulphur under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Dr. David Holder and the Rev. Donald Dukes will officiate. Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home and on Sunday from 1 p.m. until time of service at the church. Burial will be at Mimosa Pines South.
As a tribute to Behrend, memorial donations may be made to Agin’ Cajun Choir at First Baptist Church of Sulphur, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering or your favorite charity.
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