Joseph Eugene Bondurant

Joe was born to Eugene and Ruby (Chapman) Bondurant in Fulton, Kentucky on August 11, 1929. He grew up on the family dairy farm, where he milked cows in the early morning before school. After graduating high school in 1948 he joined the Marine Corps. Upon completion of his military service in 1953, Joe began his undergraduate degree at Georgia Tech. In Atlanta, Joe met his future wife, Sarah Louise Garner and they were married September 15, 1956. In 1957, Joe graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Joe and Sarah moved to Beaumont, Texas where Joe began his long career at Gulf States Utilities Company, now known as Entergy. Joe’s engineering skills and intellect were deeply respected by his colleagues, many of whom became lifelong friends. In the years after moving to Beaumont, Joe and Sarah welcomed two daughters — Alyson Ann in 1961 and Tammy Jo in 1963.

In 1986 Joe retired from Gulf States as executive vice president and began his second career refinishing and selling antique furniture with his wife. Joe and Sarah collected many friends, treasures and adventures on the antique show circuit until retiring again in 2006.

Joe was a devoted Christian and longtime member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Beaumont, where he served multiple times as a member of the vestry.

Joe is survived by his wife, Sarah Bondurant, daughters Alyson Bondurant Yokubaitis (Jon) and Tammy Bondurant Gross (David), eight grandchildren Sarah Yokubaitis Madigan(Jason), Caroline Yokubaitis, Emily Yokubaitis Green (Patrick), Amy Yokubaitis Williams (Conner), Katie Yokubaitis Williams (Joshua), Alexander Joseph Yokubaitis, Courtney Ellen Rivers (Cameron) and Haley Gross, seven great grandchildren Rosalie Fullington, Timothy Green, Clare Green, Joseph Williams, Kash Gross, Kennedy Gross, Kolby Hamilton and countless friends. Joe’s memory will always be cherished by those who knew and loved him. While we mourn his passing, we take comfort in knowing that his brilliant mind, wry sense of humor and deep love of his wife and family will live on in our hearts and memories.

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 24th at 4 P.M. at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1500 North Capital of Texas Highway in Austin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice.