David E. Guidry was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on September 18, 1946. When David closed his eyes in death, he reopened them and beheld the glory of heaven. Donna tried to ensure that he received as good care toward the end of his life as he had given others, having been the major caregiver for his mother-in-law and his father-in-law, Verdie and Bill Gleason, for over a decade. He took such compassionate care of them that they called him a son-in-heart, rather than a son-in-law. It comforted the family to know that David knew how much he was loved as he began his last journey. David had a positive impact on those who knew him because he was forever cheerful, adopting Verdie’s way of thinking that a glass might be half-full, but never half-empty when trusting God’s blessings in all circumstances.
David will be remembered for his compassion for anyone going through hardships, his generosity to those in need, and his loyalty to his family and friends. His sweet spirit ensured he overlooked slights, and he was quick to forgive. Most of all, he will be remembered for truly believing that it is “more blessed to give than to receive.” Nothing brought a smile to his face faster than being able to give someone something, even someone he barely knew. Seeing that his gift made someone happy was truly one of his greatest joys. He will also be greatly missed for his ever-present sense of humor, a source of sunshine that created fond memories to be cherished in the hearts of his loved ones and friends.
David has been a resident of our area since 1946. In 1967, he married Donna Gleason of Groves. In 1976, they bought their first home, in Groves, where they raised their family—a son, Troy, and daughter, Alicia. David graduated from Lamar University Beaumont and Texas Southern University and went on to serve the PNG School District for 42 years, as a much loved teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and principal. In their early years of marriage, David and Donna enjoyed camping and fishing, but nothing was as important to them as spending time with their families. David finally retired in 2012 when his job interfered with the amount of time Verdie and Bill needed him as a caregiver. Years later, in 2017, he was thrilled to accept a new job as a PNG counselor at the West Groves Early Learning Center, but Hurricane Harvey intervened and, due to the many struggles dealing with a flooded home, he reluctantly gave up his new job. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
David is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Donna Guidry of Port Arthur. His memory will reside in the hearts of his son, Troy Guidry, and his partner, Sherry Murray-Copeland and her daughter, Bryanna Copeland and Troy's daughters, Taylor Gaspard and Paisley Guidry, his daughter Alicia Guidry, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dwight and Marilyn Thacker of Lumberton, Sister-in-law, Wynnelle Guidry of Nederland and her daughters, Kim and Meredith, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Dianna Gleason of Bronson and his son, Bryan Gleason. He will be greatly missed by his beloved great-grandchild, Emmett Gaspard, son of Taylor and Garrett Gaspard.
David has finished his earthly journey and has joined those that preceded him in death, his parents, Albert F. and Jackie Guidry, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Verdie Gleason, his sister Grace Thacker and his brother, Michael Guidry.
David will always be remembered for the love he showed to others and the sunshine he brought to each life he touched.