Cecil M. Girard

Services for Cecil M. Girard, 89, of Tyler are scheduled for 2:30 P.M., Saturday, February 9, 2013 at First Baptist Church, Tyler with Rev. Tim Greer officiating. Burial is in Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery under direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.

Mr. Girard passed away on Monday, February 4, 2013, in his sleep, for which he had been praying during his last weeks on earth. He had been anticipating going to his heavenly home where he could see his Lord and be reunited with the longtime love of his life, his wife, Jo who had preceded him in 2002. He was born in Barlow, Kentucky on April 17, 1923 to the late David Dewey and Elizabeth Merle Meshew Girard. The family moved soon after to California where his father worked in the oil fields. He grew up in California and with World War II, joined the Navy/Marines and became a pilot and flight instructor. While stationed in Corpus Christi he met and later married Jo Hedrick. After the war, he received a master’s degree in geology at Stanford University, and went to work for Standard Oil, which became Chevron Oil Company. He worked many years in New Orleans until retiring and moving to Tyler where he lived for 35 years. He was actively involved in the Baptist church ever since his marriage serving actively for many years as a deacon and Sunday school department director, as well as choir member at First Baptist Church, Tyler.

He is survived by his son; Bill Girard and wife, MaryAnn of Tyler; daughters; Celia Girard of Baton Rouge, LA. and Jane Greer and husband, Tim of Azle; seven grandchildren; Timothy D. Girard of Nashville, TN.; Jo Michelle Franklin of Nashville, TN.; Trey Greer of Tyler; Chris Greer of Costa Mesa, CA., Andrew Greer of Nashville, TN., Don Ladd of Baton Rouge, LA., and Mark Ladd of New Orleans, LA.; twelve great grandchildren; brother, Dewey Girard; and sister, Joyce Girard.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. on Friday, February 8, 2013 at the funeral home.