James Daniel “J.D.” Burchfield, 89, of Port Neches, Texas passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2014 at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont. He was born on February 27, 1925 in Jayton, Texas to the late James L. Burchfield and Luttie Mae Potts Burchfield.
J.D. grew up as a young boy in an East Texas logging camp, Fastrill, where he met, Edith, the love of his life of 66 years. Their families later moved to Diboll where they finished school. He was allowed to graduate high school early to enlist in the Army at Camp Wolter, TX in 1943 and go to WWII. Prior to leaving for the military, he married his childhood sweetheart, Edith Lucille White. While in active duty, he drove and maintained his tank, the “Clubcar”, across the countries of Austria, Germany, and France. He returned to his family and the United States, and processed out of the military in 1946 returning as a proud veteran serving our country.
J.D. and Edith moved to Port Neches in 1948. He held several jobs until he was hired at Pure Oil Refinery in Nederland on January 4, 1949. He retired from the same site then known as UnoCal Refinery after 36 years of service.
J.D. was a self-taught jack-of-all-trades; carpenter, mechanic, electrician, and shrimper. He loved the outdoors, gardening, and chased big deer all over the Hill Country. Retirement awarded J.D. and Edith many wonderful years together enjoying time loving their family.
J.D. is survived by his daughters, Wanda Sue Guidry of Zavalla; Virginia “Dinker” Wallace and husband, Jim of Port Neches and Gwen Crossley and husband, Wally of Zavalla; brother, Durreal Burchfield; brother-in-law, Johnny “Bud” Durham; grandchildren, Tish Siau, John Hebert and wife, Nutshara, James Hebert and wife, Sarah, and Jerred Wallace and wife, Jessica; great-grandchildren, Marli Kimball, Blayke and Garrett Siau, McKenzie, Madison, Ethan, and Jacob Hebert, Carlee Wintters, Makenna and Judson Wallace, Steve Guidry and family, Cara Crossley.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Johnny Durham officiating. Interment will follow at Lynches Chapel Cemetery in Alto, TX at 3:00 p.m. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, October 17, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Harbor Hospice, 2450 N. Major Dr. Beaumont, TX 77713.