PAISD Faculty Obituaries Page 4

Bertha Lee Hebert

12/5/1933 -2/3/25
91, of Nederland, Texas, entered into the presence of the Lord in Beaumont, Texas, on February 3, 2025. She was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on December 5, 1933, to Rose (Lachausse) and Elie Hebert. Ms. Hebert is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Alfred Hebert; a niece, Michelle Hebert Houle; and a nephew, Randy Hebert.
She is survived by her brother, Loyd Hebert (Shirdale), of Taylors, South Carolina; her long-time closest friend, Iris Marquardt of Beaumont, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Ms. Hebert was truly a beacon of unwavering friendship and kindness and has left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who were blessed enough to know her. She leaves behind a multitude of past students and friends who will cherish her memory.
Ms. Hebert was a retired physical education teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Lamar University and later, a Master of Education degree. She was loved and remembered by those whose lives she touched during her teaching years. It would not be unusual for an ex-student to come running up to her with open arms in a restaurant or wherever and give her hugs. And say, “you haven’t changed a bit”. She was a mentor, a friend, a caring person, and a true inspiration to her students.
Bertha was an avid golfer and loved going to the casinos. After she retired, she was President of the Henry Homberg Women’s Golf Association for numerous years. She also won the President’s Cup in the clubs’ championship tournament in 1999. She was immensely proud of her accomplishment of having three holes-in-one. Her best friend, Iris Marquardt, and she played Pebble Beach in 2007. A memory of a lifetime for an avid golfer. Many of her golfing buddies have become lifelong friends.
Bertha’s family and friends would like to give a special thank you to Iris for not only the years of cherished friendship, but the kind and loving care she has given Bertha in the last few years. Iris exemplifies the true meaning of friendship.
Ms. Hebert was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, Nederland, Texas. Her passing has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by her.
A private family gathering will be held at a later date.
Her cremation arrangements were handled under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

Alfred Hebert

9/2/1937 -9/19/24
(Written by Carolyn Bigler Hebert)
It is with much sadness and grief I have to post the love of my life passed away last night in the early morning hours. He WAS the love of my life. We met when I was ten. The chaplain said we came back to each other and had the last part of our lives together. We were married a little over 18 years. (Alfred Hebert) Alfred accomplished his goals and dreams of being a triathlete. That was a lot of traveling. He began at age 67 and ended as a champ in the world finals at age 76. Alfred represented the USA in the WORLD Triathlon Finals in London, England finishing 18th in the world in his age group. What an accomplishment! You had to place in your state, I believe 5 times, then on the national level at least twice to qualify for the world finals. In 2012 he was in the top FIVE for the states of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
We spent our first anniversary in Hawaii. In 2014 we went back to Hawaii and toured the islands on a cruise ship, then a tour of Oahu via Helicopter. Alfred was a very loving and devoted man. Again, the love of my life. Our song was "I Love How You Love Me" by the Ray Conniff singers. We always signed everything with I love how you love me. My Special Angel was another favorite. He called me his special angel. A folder on my computer was named that. It had things about me that was what he wanted to save. At our wedding, we danced after we said I DO and he sang My Special Angel to me, a little off key but so very special.
In our youth Alfred was a very handsome young man of 13 and a hunk of a guy in high school when we dated. My sister said all the gals called him THE HUNK. That was when he taught at TJ in Port Arthur. Sometimes when we traveled, we would run into some of his students. They always acknowledged him. He taught biology but sometimes physiology and marine science. He had a winning swim team and a winning tennis team when he taught at Port Neches Groves High School. He taught swimming and diving and lifesaving at the pier pool in Port Arthur. I've posted pictures of him diving at the Pleasure Pier pool, pictures from memories of Port Arthur.
Alfred owned two sailboats and won racing contests with the small one. First place in most all he did. He won spear fishing contests, underwater photography too. He was a scuba diver and collected boxes of shells in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. He also won scuba diving contests. An all-around athlete who was a winner in all he did. Well, he won my heart when I was only ten. He dearly loved the bible studies we did at the Cathedral in Tyler. He loved it so much, eventually he told the leader which question or questions he wanted to answer. This was a study of an entire gospel that lasted all school year long. He was the only man who would study with me and read the bible with me. The love of my life....you betcha!
Left, in the beginning years of triathlons. On the right, he was at the finish line where they were each given a flag for the country they were representing. Alfred represented the USA. At the national triathlons they represented their state. We got shirts and western hats for the state of Texas at the national triathlon held in Kentucky My son found Alfred's Team USA uniform this year. Oh how proud Alfred was and thankful to my son, really our son Bryan Langford. Bryan was the son Alfred never had. located on page 3 - 1968 Annual

Jack (John Leroy) Sell

9/6/1929 -11/22/24
Jack (John Leroy) Sell, 95, of Port Arthur, Texas, passed away on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Oak Grove Nursing Home in Groves, Texas. Born on October 6, 1929, in Seward, Nebraska to the late Gertrude and Albert Sell. Jack lived in Seward until he was 8 years old when his family moved to Alamo, Texas.
Jack’s educational journey began at Alamo Grammar School in Alamo, Texas, followed by his graduation from Pharr San Juan Alamo High School in 1946. He pursued higher education at Pan American University in Edinberg, Texas, before graduating from Texas State University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry. Furthering his studies, he received a Master of Arts degree in Cellular Physiology and Biophysics from the University of Texas at Austin in 1960.
Jack was devoted to the field of education, teaching Chemistry and Physiology at Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas, from 1954 until his retirement in 1991. His teaching career was preceded by a brief tenure at Port Lavaca High School in 1952. After retirement, Jack continued to make an impact in his community by volunteering at the United Board of Missions in Port Arthur until 2023.
In addition to his professional achievements, Jack proudly served in the United States Navy. He was a navy corpsman stationed at Naval Hospitals in San Diego, California, and Bremerton, Washington. He was recalled into service during the Korean War, where he contributed his skills for an additional two years at the US Naval Hospital in San Diego.
An explorer at heart, Jack loved traveling all over the world, forming cherished memories along the way. His spirituality was also a cornerstone of his life; he was baptized on November 3, 1929, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Alamo, Texas in 1944. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Arthur and Peace Lutheran Church in Groves since 1954.
Jack is survived by his nieces and nephews, Roberta Winchester and her husband John of Fallbrook, California; William Sell and his wife Cynthia of Spring Branch, Texas; Patricia Sell-Ramsey and her husband Bobby of Spring Branch, Texas; as well as his great nieces and great nephews, Regina Winchester, John Winchester, Sarah Ramsey, and Robert Ramsey, and a great-great nephew, Landon Winchester.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude (Neuman) Sell and Albert Sell, and his brother, Robert Sell.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with at service to begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Peace Lutheran Church, located at 5801 W. Jefferson St., Groves, Texas 77619. Interment will be held at 10:15 a.m., Monday, December 16, 2024, at the Houston National Cemetery, located at 10410 Veteranc Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas 77038.