Richard Duport

Richard W. Duport, 74, passed away Friday, February 12, 2010 in Abilene. Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, February 15th at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Rd with burial following in Elmwood Memorial Park. Rosary will be at 4:00 PM on Sunday in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel with visitation following from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

Mr. Duport was born on August 8, 1936 in New Bedford, Massachusetts the son of Allen Duport and Doris Allard Duport. He was proud of his military career which began with 4 years of service in the United States Marine Corp and ended with his retirement from the U.S. Air Force after 26 years and 18 days of service. When Richard retired in 1978 he had obtained the rank of Master Sergeant, and was First Sergeant in charge of the 772 Squadron stationed at Dyess Air Force Base. He was a life member of VFW Post 6873 and a member of the Masonic Lodge 559.

Mr. Duport has been famous over the last 29 years for his alias of Santa Claus, a role he has played no matter where he was stationed in the military. Since moving to Abilene in 1975, children of all ages have loved stopping by his house on Pioneer Drive to sit on his knee and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. All of his children and grandchildren have been enlisted as Santas helpers over the years and of course his wife Beatrice was always happy to play Mrs. Claus.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years , Beatrice Duport his children, Barbara Lynn Dahl and husband Dr. Patrick Miller of Abilene, Maureen Scarborough and husband Bryan of Arlington, Richard E. Duport of Round Rock and Patricia Jo Shaffer and husband Michael of San Antonio his brother, Robert Medeiros, 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap RD, Abilene, TX 79606 or Hendrick Home for Children, 2758 Jeanette St, Abilene, TX 79602.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Sunday, February 14, 2010
5:00 to 7:00 PM

Service

ROSARY

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Sunday, February 14, 2010
4:00 PM

Funeral Mass

Holy Family Catholic Church
5410 Buffalo Gap Road
Abilene, TX  79606
Monday, February 15, 2010
1:00 PM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606

Memorial Contributions

http://www.epartnersingiving.com/richardwduport
5410 Buffalo Gap
Abilene, TX  79606


http://www.epartnersingiving.com/richardwduport
2758 Jeanette St
Abilene, TX  79602