John "Bud" LaBorde's long career in the maritime industry took him from Swampers, LA, to Vicksburg, MS, to Singapore, to the North Sea, and finally to Orange, TX. now he is coming home.
John Julian LaBorde was born in his parents' home on October 16, 1938, to the union of Julian and Lowery "Sweet" Scott LaBorde. He was the second of their three children, and was the largest at birth, weighing in at over ten and a half pounds. While growing up on his family's farm in the Swampers community, "Bud" was an active, typical boy, leaving for school in starched and ironed clothes, but often coming home with buttons or socks missing. He was the brave and faithful "test pilot" for many of his older brother's creations, including a parachute made from baby blankets, and a motorcycle made from a bicycle with a washing machine motor. When he broke his leg while trying to ride his horse up a pile of cotton gin trash, he told his father, "Don't sell my horse. It was all my fault." After he convinced his mother to buy him a fiddle, he decided to give it to his brother, telling her something was wrong with it because, "It just made noises."
After graduating from Crowville High School in 1956, Bud married his high school sweetheart, Janet Simons, in 1957. The two were happily married, spending all their years together until her death in 2020. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Tammy LaBorde Triplett and John Michael LaBorde. Bud retired from Higman Towing Company, Orange, TX, as Operations Manager in 2004. In his later years, he enjoyed golfing and traveling with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Bud passed from this life in Orange, TX, on July 25, 2024 after a lengthy illness. Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter Tammy Triplett and husband Jamie of Vicksburg, MS; son John LaBorde and wife Ellaine of Friendswood, TX; grandchildren, Ashley Cox Harper (Jack) of Bovina, MS, and Matthew Cox (Taylor) of Brandon, MS; Lauren, Dylan, and Kate LaBorde of Friendswood, TX; great-grandchildren Mary Madisyn, Mckynzie, & Riley Harper; Presley Miller & McKinley Cox; sister Audrey LaBorde Hoover of Winnsboro, LA; dedicated friend and caregiver, Mary Doucet; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews who loved him greatly. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janet Simons LaBorde, and brother, David Arthur LaBorde.
Visitation for Bud will be held Monday, July 29 th , at 10 AM at Fish Bayou Baptist Church in the Swampers community. Funeral services, under the direction of Dennard First National Funeral Home, will begin at 11, led by Rev. Kelly Clark. Internment will follow at Harris Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest with his wife, parents, and brother.
Pall bearers will be Matthew Cox, Steven Franklin, Jack Harper, Dylan LaBorde, Nick Leonards, and Jamie Triplett.
Online registry/condolences at www.dennardfirstnational.com

Fish Bayou Baptist Church