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James Hugh “Bubba” Viator, 82, of Groves, Texas, passed away following a brief illness on July 9, 2020. He was born July 22, 1937 in Port Arthur, Texas and lived in Groves for the past 60 years.

Bubba was born into a family of Cajun storytellers, yarn-spinners of great humor and vibrancy (and sometimes a little exaggeration). His ability to entertain others was second to none.

He had a big personality, and he was gregarious, generous, honest, and hardworking. In high school, he worked as a mechanic in his father’s Gulf service station.

He went on to work in a variety of fields, most notably as a marine electrical contractor, but he was always happiest when he was working with his hands. His friends and neighbors knew him for his generosity; he was always quick to lend his skills to help anyone in need.

He cherished his time with family, telling stories, enjoying his wife Carolyn’s cooking, listening to music, and entertaining his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He could often be found on his front porch, inviting passersby to join him. If you accepted his invitation, you often left with a smile on your face.

Bubba was preceded in death by his parents, Minus J Viator and Helen Gonsoulin Viator, both of the New Iberia, Louisiana area, and his sister, Carole Russell, of Fort Worth.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Carolyn Jackson Viator, and their five children, Mark Viator of Austin, Texas, Anna Juarez of Groves, Texas, Lynda Garber of Columbus, Indiana, Helen Deloney of Chaska, Minnesota, and Ross Viator of San Francisco, California, along with eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Bubba had strong community values and a love for humanity; he acted on those values by donating blood as often as possible for many years. Donations in his honor can be made through Lifeshare Blood Center (lifeshare.org).