Simon Joseph Babin

SJ was born February 26th, 1950, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Lena Smith and Simon J. Babin. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Bishop Byrne High School. He graduated from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Science in speech, with teaching certificates in speech pathology and deaf education. SJ attained his master’s degree in education with a specialty in reading from the University of Houston. He spent his entire teaching career in the Houston Independent School District, 12 years at McReynolds Middle School, 12 years at Lamar High School and 14 years at Scarborough High working with children with special needs. During his tenure he prepared for many ARD meetings, created many IEPs and served as special education department chair. His greatest joy, however, was teaching life skills to 14–22-year old’s. He loved to work with them in their community garden, teaching them to plant, harvest and then eat the fruits of their labor, baking and selling Otis Spunkmeyer cookies and taking them on the many field trips to the bowling alley and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

A true Pisces, fish, fishing, East Bay and Sabine Pass were always top of mind. He loved his fishing trips with his sons, childhood friends, Gordon Landry, Mickey Cascio, teaching colleague, Geoff Campbell, Mr. B (Ronald Balsam) and his father-in-law and brother-in-law, Vic Janacek and Kenny Sopchak, respectively. Next to fishing was duck hunting. He was always grateful to Marty and Pat Green for allowing him to hunt with them and their families at LaBelle. At the end of each duck season, the hunters and families would join for Mass and a feast which always included SJ’s duck and sausage gumbo. He was indeed an excellent gumbo chef.

Equally important was his garden. For so many years, tomatoes were in abundance as was eggplant and cucumbers. He loved a winter garden as well. Collard and mustard greens were his favorite. As a garden is growing now, we promise not to kill the current crop and will enjoy them in your honor.

SJ loved Christmas and would start singing Christmas carols and marking the calendar six months in advance. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter was always a celebration. What started as a small overnight weekend over New Year’s with Betty and Ronald Balsam (Mr. and Mrs. B) in Shoreacres, turned into a 40-year tradition of love and laughter with our NYE Gang, Beth and Charlie Balsam and Sharon and Jim Shanahan – more than tradition, a deep abiding friendship grounded in our faith was formed.

SJ and Anna met in November 1970 at a Happening Retreat at the Catholic Student Center at Lamar University. That weekend created a bond of friendship that grew into love. Upon completion of their studies, they married and made Houston their home. God blessed them with two beautiful sons, who are now wonderful fathers, learning all the best from their own father. How proud he was of his sons. How he loved them! SJ and Anna often spoke that their sacrament of matrimony was their way to bring each other salvation. It is our belief that on November 2nd, SJ attained salvation.

Throughout their marriage, Anna consistently worked long hours, attended many late-night events and traveled while at Catholic Charities and United Way. SJ bemoaned it a little, but mostly was so very proud of his wife and her service to the community. He loved the friends that they both made along the way—Linda and John O’Black and Lynne Liberato. Anna’s work would never have been accomplished without SJ’s love, patience, and support. He was the wind beneath her wings.

SJ is pre-deceased by his parents, sister Madlyn Moreau and nephew, Glenn Moreau. He is survived by his wife, Anna Sopchak Babin, sons Matthew and his wife Laura, and Patrick and his wife, Julie. He is also survived by his beautiful grandchildren, Abigail Ann (Abbey), Evangeline Juliette (Evie), Madeline Joy (Maddie), Leo James, Matthew Michael (Mikey), Katherine Grace (Katie) and step-granddaughter, Brynn Brewer. He is survived by his nephew and godson, Floyd Moreau and niece, Linda Moreau Hansen.

Visitation will be held from 5pm to 7 pm on Friday, November 5, with a Vigil service to follow at St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 10688 Shadow Wood Drive, Houston 77043. SJ’s Mass of Resurrection and celebration of faith and life will be held on Saturday, November 6 at 11 am at St. Catherine of Siena. All arrangements are being handled by Earthman’s Hunter Creek.

The family asks that if you would like to make a charitable gift in his memory, please consider Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston or United Way of Greater Houston. More importantly, if you would like to honor his memory in another way, be generous with your time and resources by helping children with special needs.