Burney M. Aucoin

Burney Aucoin, 92, of Groves, Texas passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2015. Burney was born June 23, 1922 in Port Arthur, Texas to Ernest and Valerie Aucoin. He was a lifelong area resident and retired from Texaco Island as a receiver and dock worker after many years of service. He was a former member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for 60 years and an active member of St. James Catholic Church for the past 5 years. He proudly served in the U.S Marine Corps during World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Myra Aucoin; son, Stephen Aucoin; sister, Betty Aucoin; and brothers, Milton, E.J., and Bruce Aucoin. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Ryherd and husband Boyd of Groves, Cynthia Kimura and husband Drew of Nederland; son, Greg Aucoin of Port Neches; grandchildren, Lauren Richard, Adrienne Ryherd, Amber Ambrose, Eric Kimura, Lindsey Granger, Jamie Scott; great-grandchildren, Rosslyn Ambrose, Andie Richard, Julian Richard, and Audrey Scott. Fighter to the bitter end, Burney lived life fully. As a young boy, grew up on the tough streets of Port Arthur and was a notorious running back at St. Mary's. "Burney to the right, Burney to the left, Burney up the middle Touchdown!!!" BM walked away unknowingly from a year of playing eligibility to serve our country as a U. S. Marine during the WWII South Pacific campaign, stationed at Peleliu and fought in the Battle of Okinawa. Thrown in the brig for sneaking off and shooting a Japanese rifle (he had a knack for getting into trouble), his fellow Marines thought it was a Japanese attack. Face to face with a Japanese soldier, the two mutually decided not to kill one another, but to share the only source of water they'd both happened upon. It was a matter of mutual survival, and Burney said the disagreement was with the politicians. Burney loved serving. He was a coach, a frequent face when it came to working events at Immaculate Conception parish, a confirmation class teacher, an obsessive dish washer, a painter, carpenter, mechanic and a parish council member, not to mention a devoted father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to his beloved "padnuhs." He also loved fishing -- two huge flounders to his credit -- music, dancing, zydeco, The Honeymooners, Hogan's Heroes, books, the Astros, the Rockets, the Cowboys, red wine, steaks, pork ribs, Cream of Wheat, desserts, pretty ladies, scratch-offs, slot machines and any kind of family social event. He was the life of the party. Burney wasn't the best at directions. He and a friend, Binagia, once headed out to Lumberton and ended up in Lake Charles. His late wife, Myra, is going to have to show him around when they meet up! A deeply spiritual being, Burney loved his Catholic faith, Jesus Christ and God. An imperfect man like all of us, he was hardest on himself about times when he fell short. He and God have been working things out for the last few years and especially during the last few days. God saw when he was kind and welcoming to any and all. We're glad he made his peace and started the next phase of his journey with a sense of calm. A visitation for family and friends will be Friday, May 29, 2015 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 30, 2015 at St. James Catholic Church with Reverend Eathan Oakes officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.