Floyd John Schexnayder Sr., 88, of Port Arthur, died March 2, 2017. He was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma cancer in August. Floyd was born on Sept. 2, 1928, in Franklin, Louisiana, to Lydia Broussard Schexnayder and Emile Schexnayder.
Floyd moved to Port Arthur in 1941, where he attended Thomas Jefferson High School.  He changed his birth certificate and volunteered at age 16 for the United States Navy. This led to him serving during World War II in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Terror and USS Steady. Floyd completed a millman apprenticeship in 1950 and started building his first home at 19 years old. He worked for the Kansas City Southern Railroad from 1951-1989 as switchman and yardmaster. He loved woodworking in his backyard shop and enjoyed helping family and friends with building projects. Floyd built several homes, boats and his own apartment complex in Groves.
He was lifelong Catholic and a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Port Arthur. He was married to his beloved Lilly Thibodeaux Schexnayder for 65 years until her death in 2011. He had a passion for learning and loved to travel especially in the western United States and Canada. He and Lilly also took cruises to Alaska, Scandinavia, Russia, the Caribbean and Panama. He was excited about deer hunting, whether with friends in Colorado or with family in the Hill Country.
Survivors include his daughter, Belinda Gaudet and husband, Larry, of Southlake; sons, Eric Schexnayder and wife, Kathey, of Port Neches; Kurt Schexnayder and wife, Karen, of Nederland; and Floyd Schexnayder Jr. and wife, Connie, of North Richland Hills; grandchildren, Lance Schexnayder, Lauren Schexnayder, Jason Schexnayder, Jenna Cooley, Stefanie Wright, Andy Snider, Steven Schexnayder, Scott Gaudet and Shawn Gaudet; 11 great grandchildren; and sisters, Lois Loupe of Nederland and Barbara Wiggins of Alexandria, Louisiana.
He was preceded in death by parents; and brothers, Vernon Schexnayder of Groves and Kenneth Schexnayder of San Leandro, California.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all who came to visit with Floyd during his illnesses.
A gathering of Mr. Schexnayder’s family and friends will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a Christian Vigil at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 6, 2017, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at Broussard’s, Nederland, with his interment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves.
Memorial contributions for Mr. Schexnayder may be made to National Museum of the Pacific War, 340 E. Main St., Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 or St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 3706 Woodrow, Port Arthur, Texas 77642.
Complete and updated information may be found at: broussards1889.com.