John E. “Chief” Soares, 78, of Groves, Texas passed away on June 5, 2018. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas on August 16, 1939 to the late John Soares and Ruby Landry Soares. John retired from the City of Port Arthur after 43 ½ years of service. John was a past president of East Texas Blacksmith Association.

John is survived by his wife Carolyn Soares of Groves; his children, Cody John Soares and his wife, Kim of Nederland, Dana Beth Weeks and her husband, Charles of Bridge City, and Jeremy Keith Soares of Houston; 7 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Joy Maddox of Westlake, Louisiana,Ruby Tyson of Port Arthur, Joan Romero of Starks, Louisiana, and Joyce Smith of Vidor.  He is preceded in death by his parents; and his sisters, Patsy Lyon and Betty Rose Jones.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland on Saturday, June 9, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Melancon’s Funeral Home on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with interment to follow at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County.

The family would like to thank Kindred Hospice and Kathy Holmes for their loving care provided to our Dad.