Jean Paul Felix Clouatre, 85, of North Platte, died Jan. 25, 2013, at Linden Court in North Platte.
Felix was born Sept. 7, 1927, at Ingham, to Delphis “Del” and Alma Rose Gaudreau Clouatre. He attended school in McPherson County before his family moved to North Platte in 1935. Felix graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1946.
On May 30, 1946, Felix joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged on April 2, 1948. Felix returned to North Platte and went to work for Sixth Street Market from 1948 to 1953. He then began a career with the Union Pacific Railroad and retired as a clerk in 1989.
On June 2, 1955, Felix married Leona Jane Vath at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ogallala. To this union eight children were born. In 1965, he took on a supplemental job with North Platte Monument Company and Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens until 1991. Felix enjoyed hunting, fishing and helping out with Little League Baseball. He also enjoyed playing baseball and later softball. He liked to take long rides in the canyons with his brother-in-law, Jack Schaeffer.
Felix was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge, U.P. Old Timers, AARP, TCU Union and was a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Del and Alma Clouatre; his son, Pat Clouatre; and his sister, Stella Robinson.
Survivors include his wife, Leona, of North Platte; four sons, Tom (Tina) Clouatre, of Saluda, Va., David (Teresa) Clouatre, Mark (Connie) Clouatre, and Steven (Kim) Clouatre, all of North Platte; three daughters, Teresa (Don) Keever, of Shepherd, Mont., Denise (David) Baladez, of Julesburg, Colo., and Lisa Clouatre (special friend, John Aupperle), of North Platte; 29 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family.
Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment-Trust. Online condolences may be made at odeanchapel.com.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 30, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Seiker as celebrant. Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with military honors. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 28, and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements.