EPIGMENIO "MANUEL" ARRENDONDO

Epigmenio Manuel Arredondo, 84, of Groves passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. Manuel was born June 21, 1925 to Epigmenio and Ismaela Maldonado Arredondo in Port Arthur, Texas. Manuel was a self-made-man who left school during the depression to help his family. At 17, Manuel enlisted in the United States Navy and served honorably in World War II in the Pacific front. He was a machinist at Texaco for 35 years who took great pride in the company he worked for and the trade he mastered. Manuel was a longtime member in St. Peters Catholic Church in Groves and loved the Groves community. He faithfully attended and enjoyed the camaraderie of the Bruce's Market Basket deli staff, and the friends he made there while drinking coffee and discussing issues of the day. Manuel's great love was his wife Zoila and their six daughters-Chris, Brenda, Annette, Dolores, Eva and Zita and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Manuel was predeceased by a special nephew, Robert Bobby Martinez, who served in the U.S. Army and who gave his life for his country in Vietnam. Manuel is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Zoila Trevino Arredondo; daughter, Chris DeLeon and husband Gerald: daughter, Brenda Badger and husband Sam; daughter, Annette Calcote and husband Jerry; daughter, Dolores McLin and husband Lloyd; daughter, Eva Theriot and husband Danny; daughter, Zita Downs and husband Mike; brother, Gustavo Arredondo; sister, Zulema Martinez and husband Gilbert; sister, Hortensia Flores; sister, Pauline Theriot and husband Boone; friend of the family, Tommy Sheppard; many nieces and nephews; and, by his legacy: the beloved 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren! Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a Rosary at 7:00 PM Tuesday at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home in Port Arthur. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Groves with Msgr. Kenneth Greig serving as the Celebrant. Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches. Pallbearers will be grandsons Kevin DeLeon, Brock Badger, Nathan Calcote, Ryan McLin, Dylan Theriot, Michael Downs, Clint Calcote and Jerry Lee Calcote. The family extends special thanks to the Oncology staff, 4th floor, St Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Peters Catholic Church in Groves, Texas. For those unable to attend services you may sign the Guest Book at www.grammier-oberle.com.