Aaron C. "Buddy" McBride, Sr.

Aaron C. "Buddy" McBride, Sr., 91, of Port Neches, Texas died Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur, Texas. Buddy was born December 22, 1923 in Port Arthur, Texas to Adam McBride and Alida DeVillier McBride. He was a lifelong resident of this area and a retired Welder with Fina. Buddy was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Port Neches and a WWII US Army Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church with Reverend Shane Baxter officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park. Visitation for family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of service Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Levingston Funeral Home in Port Neches. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Bernice Guidry McBride and granddaughter, Natalie McBride. Surviving relatives include his children, Sharon McBride LaRue and Sammy LaRue of Port Neches, Texas; Aaron C. "Butch" McBride, Jr. and Glynda McBride of Lumberton, Texas; sisters, Annie Guidry and husband Alvin of Port Neches, Texas; Clara Nolan of Port Arthur, Texas; brother-in-law, LeRoy Broussard of Port Neches, Texas; grandchildren, Brad and Tisha McBride, Jeremy and Deedra Harris, Lance and Michelle LaRue, and Dana LaRue; great-grandchildren, Britton McBride, Amanda McBride, Lyndi Harris, Bucky Harris, Jake Harris, Kate Danielle LaRue, and Sam Aaron LaRue. He is also survived by special lifelong friends, Vivian Calais and her late husband, Roy and Bertha Meche and her late husband, Wilson. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2006 Nall Street, Port Neches, Texas 77651. Not so long ago Tom Brokaw wrote the best-selling book The Greatest Generation, where he marveled at the generation of Americans who struggled through the hardships of the Great Depression, fought and won World War II, and returned to home and family to build the greatest nation the world has ever known. Buddy McBride was one such great man. As a very young man, Buddy went to work to support his mother and younger brothers and sisters, after the death of his father. Times were hard; he never failed to take care of those he loved. Then came World War II, and once again he accepted his responsibility. Buddy McBride participated in the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He served in General George Patton's Legendary Third Army until he was seriously wounded. After many months of recovery, he was shipped home. Back in Texas, Buddy married the love of his life, Bernice Guidry. They became the proud parents of two children, Aaron (Butch) and Sharon, and for 51 years they lived a happy and blessed life. In spite of numerous health problems over the years and the loss of Bernice in 1997, Buddy was always the happiest, most optimistic man anyone could hope to know. As a result of his positive attitude and moral character, Buddy McBride created a multitude of friends and surrounded himself with nieces, nephews, and other extended family members. He was a joyful man who never forgot those who were privileged to earn a place in his heart. Buddy McBride never met a stranger. Whether he was attending a football game for his beloved PNG Indians, watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren perform in their numerous activities, worshiping at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, or placing flowers at the cemetery, he always had a smile and a kind word for everyone he saw. His daughter, Sharon, says that he was a Pied Piper with children. Although he loved his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren, he also loved children whom he met for the first time. He made special trips to the bank to get $2 bills to give to all the children; the little ones may not have known that these bills were special, but that did not matter. The children and parents were smiling, and Buddy was delighted. His 7 great-grandchildren, ranging in age from one year old to sixteen, loved him and looked forward to visiting at his home, playing in the pool with him, or even crawling in bed with him to laugh and hear his stories. With Great-Paw-Paw, there was never a dull moment. In the eyes of his family, Buddy McBride is the ultimate example of the "Greatest Generation." As a devoted Christian, he set the example for all of us, and we will forever remember his fervent prayers for each of us as he called our names. On Wednesday morning Buddy McBride left this life, and he could justly repeat Paul's words from 2 Timothy 4:7-8: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."