Ernest Paul Gauthier, Jr., 76, of Silsbee, Texas, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. Memorial service, under the direction of Dorman Funeral Home, was held at Dorman Funeral Home, in Orange, Texas at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2017; Lay Pastor Bryant Champagne of Cowboy Church officiating. Visitation for family and friends was held at Dorman Funeral Home on Saturday, September 23, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Ernest was born on Saturday, October 26, 1940, in Franklin, Louisiana, to Lucille Gary and Ernest "Pete" Gauthier Sr. In 1941, Ernest became a resident of Orange, Texas, where he lived for the next 47 years. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic High School. Ernest was a hardworking man who made a career as a process operator for 33 years at Bayer before retiring in 2001. Ernest was not a man to sit around, so from the time he retired until 2015, he worked on and off as a car salesman at Cowboy's in Silsbee, Texas. Ernest enjoyed talking and never ever met a stranger. He truly found happiness in finding someone to sit down and listen to all his stories he loved to tell. Ernest was the true definition of a genuine soul that was everyone's friend and would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it. He loved to be spontaneous and adventurous and enjoyed camping, fishing, dancing and old cars. Ernest also served in the National Guard Reserve. Ernest was a husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend, who will be missed by all those who knew him. Preceding Ernest in death are his parents, Lucille and Ernest “Pete” Gauthier Sr. Those who will cherish Ernest's memory most are his loving wife of 32 years, Vickie Gauthier of Silsbee, Texas and her children, Kellie and her husband James and son, Chad and his wife Kari; Ernest’s daughters, Paige and Sara and husband David; 9 grandchildren; sister, Geraldine and her husband Virge; brother, Mike and his wife Kathy; sister, Judie Fields; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.