Obituary of Melvin James Theriot

Melvin “Bud” James Theriot Sr., 94, passed away on January 26, 2011. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wilton and Laura Theriot; wife, Beatrice J. Theriot; and sister, Rosie Theriot Crawford. Bud is survived by his son, Melvin James Theriot Jr. and his wife, Donna; daughters, Debbie Anna Theriot Harris and her husband, David, Linda Lee Theriot Cessac and her husband, Phil; brother, Harry Theriot and his wife, Bertha; grandchildren, Anna Kristina Butts and her husband, Randy, Deidra Dee Mabry and her husband, Casey, Amber Elizabeth Harris, Melvin James Theriot III, Amanda Lyn Theriot, James Dupree Cessac, Morgan Lee Cessac; great grandchildren, Reyse Arris Mabry, and Anna Josephine Butts; and a host of many other family and friends. Melvin was born on December 25, 1916 at home on Theater Street in St. Martinville, Louisiana. Mr. Jack employed Melvin as a young man to work in the Oube’s Bakery. It was here that he developed his love of cooking. He graduated his 11th grade year from St. Martinville High School; during the time he was a student, he played basketball for the school team. He was the star point guard and took his team to the Championship. In 1940, after graduation, Melvin entered the US Air Force where he served proudly for 5 years. He was the Chief Operating Officer for the plane he was assigned. When a plane was in need of repair, they could rely on “The Frenchman” to fix the problem. He was the head mechanic. He flew all over the world during those 5 years but cherished his tour in Rome, Italy the most. After leaving the Air Force in 1945, Melvin returned home to St. Martinville but soon learned that work was hard to find so he moved to Houston, Texas. He lived with his sister and her family while he secured employment with The Jim West Oil Company. In 1947, Melvin went into partnership with his family to purchase their first gas station, located at Alameda and Highway 35, which began his legacy with Humble Oil and Refinery Company. After a few years, he decided to purchase a station at Yellowstone and Chocolate Bayou in Houston. It was here that Melvin met the love of his life on a blind date arranged by one of his customers. Melvin and Beatrice were married in 1952 and honeymooned in New Orleans. A year later they welcome their son Melvin Jr. to the world. In 1954 Melvin purchased 60 acres of land on N. Hatfield Rd where he built a Dairy Barn and with the assistance of his father and Bea, he purchased Holstein cattle from Wisconsin and began his second love of raising cattle. Shortly after the birth of their second child, Debbie, Melvin and Bea went to the VA Hospital where he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and told he had six months to get his affairs in order. Bea sold the cattle and moved home to her parents where she was able to rely on them for assistance with their two children. Melvin had an extended stayed at the hospital and finally received the good news that the image on his lung had disappeared and he was allowed to go home. After returning home, he sought out to purchase commercial cattle and decided that Black Angus would be the breed of choice. Melvin and Bea became members of St. Helens Mission Church in 1954 and became involved in the church assisting with the church bazaars. By 1960, the family moved into their permanent residence and Linda was born shortly afterwards. In 1966, St. Helen Catholic Church was built in part from the proceeds raised from the many church bazaars. The Theriot family would travel across the United States attending shows, sales and exhibitions for their Black Angus cattle. In the mid 1970’s Melvin’s ultimate goal was realized when they purchased Theriot Yegua Angus Farms, “The Ranch”, located in Lincoln, Texas. For the past 40 years, Melvin was an exhibitor at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo at the Range Bull sale. During that time he had two Overall Breed Champions and multiple Angus Champions. Later in life, Melvin took enormous pride in seeing the births, graduations, marriages and great achievements of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He cherished the time that he got to spend with his family. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him. Visitation for Melvin will be on Monday, January 31, 2011 at Clayton Funeral Home at 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, TX 77581 from 5 until 8 pm with a 7 pm Rosary recited by Deacon Darvin Bordelon. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 12 noon at St. Helen Catholic Church at 2209 Old Alvin Rd, Pearland, TX 77581 with Rev. Wayne W. Wilkerson officiating. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, in Pearland.