Herbert Allen ‘Bud’ Hymel

Friday, January 28, 2022
Herbert Allen ‘Bud’ Hymel

Herbert Allen Hymel or “Bud” as most knew him, passed away peacefully Jan. 18, 2022, at his home at Spanish Trail Assisted Living Facility in Silsbee, Texas.

Bud’s funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at Lake Arthur First United Methodist Church, located at 323 New Orleans Avenue in Lake Arthur, under the direction of Broussard’s of Silsbee, Texas. Social distancing guidelines were observed.

His interment followed at Lakeview Cemetery in Lake Arthur.

He was born in Lake Arthur on Jan. 9, 1922, to Lelia Gibson Hymel and Pat Hymel.

On his paternal side, Bud was born to a family of great hunting and fishing guides. Even though he was a child of the Great Depression, happy memories of hunting ducks, gigging frogs and fishing in the rich waters of Lake Arthur with his faithful dog, Pinto, his brothers and friends sustained him all his life. At every family gathering that special time would come when the room would grow quiet so all could hear Bud’s great stories … especially the one about the panther stalking him in the swamp.

His maternal great-grandfather was a Methodist missionary from Scotland, Dr. James L. Gibson, who helped establish Lake Arthur First United Methodist Church in 1890 before the town of Lake Arthur was incorporated. Bud had clear memories of his first job as an 8-year-old child: searching for firewood and rising during pre-dawn hours to light the iron stove that warmed the church for Sunday services. He also rang the steeple bell that called worshipers to services on Sunday mornings. All that for a monthly salary of 25 cents. And he felt rich. The habit of Sunday worship is one he maintained throughout his life.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Bud was drafted by the U.S. Army. Stationed at Schofield Barracks Army Base in Oahu, Hawaii, Bud was trained as a rifle sharpshooter and assigned to an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion. He was always humble about his contribution and had high regard for the demands of military service to protect our American freedoms. Bud was always proud that all five of the Hymel brothers served in three different branches of military service during World War II at the same time.

His legacy lives on in the joy that each child brings to the family. Bud lived a full and fruitful life and leaned on his faith in God to guide his path. Well done, good and faithful servant. Rest in God’s perfect peace.

Bud graduated from Lake Arthur High School and married Jacqueline O’Neil, a union that would last over 80 years. Jobs were scarce in the Lake Arthur area, so the young couple moved to Beaumont, Texas, to raise their family. Bud worked in the rice business most of his life and retired from the Beaumont Rice Mill. After retirement Bud and Jackie moved “home” to Lake Arthur. They treasured their years back home in Lake Arthur and their worship at Lake Arthur First United Methodist Church.

Bud and Jackie’s four daughters and their husbands, Madeline Stirling and her late husband, Gardner; Dianne Sparks and her husband, Tom; Connie Boesch and her late husband, Tom; and Christy Burton and her husband, Richard; they were blessed with nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren and counting.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandchildren, Mary Ellen Sparks Lowe and Chris Sparks; and brothers and sisters-in-law; John Henry Hymel and his wife, Aline; Harold Hymel and his wife, Maxine; Harry Hymel and his wife, Jean; and Jimmie Hymel and his wife, Della.

A life well lived is full of blessings from God and the family is deeply grateful for all. Bud was especially blessed during his later years to have been loved and cared for by so many faithful, loving friends. Dr. Jeremy Huff and his nursing staff, Dr. R.M. Williams, Ms. Della Hill, Ms. Tanzie Fowler, RN, Ms. Sonia Thibodeaux, Ms. Shannon Hale and her staff at Spanish Trail Assisted Living Facility, Ms. Maggie LeJune, RN, Altus Hospice, Ms. Stephanie Bourgeois, Altus Hospice and Altus Hospice Healthcare Professionals. Thank you, dear souls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lake Arthur First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 429, Lake Arthur, LA 70549.

Complete and updated information may be found at broussards1889.com.