Eddie J. Lorio, Jr.

Graveside service for Eddie J. Lorio, Jr., 80, of Nacogdoches will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, September 23, 2022 at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery with Brent Bullard, Ralph Busby and Dr. Gene Cagle officiating. Mr. Lorio passed away on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 in Nacogdoches.

Eddie J. Lorio, Jr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of Eddie Sr. and Josephine Lorio.  He spent his childhood in the south Louisiana bayou community of Norco and graduated from Destrehan High School.  In the fall of 1964, he went to the Thanksgiving dance at The Knights of Columbus Hall in Destrehan.  Little did he know that particular dance would change his life.  A beautiful young lady caught his eye and he asked her to dance.  That was the first of many they would have.  He and Rita Beber knew they would spend the rest of their life together.  They were united in marriage on August 19, 1967 in New Orleans and have spent a wonderful 55 years together.  Eddie dedicated his life to Rita and when they were blessed with their daughters, Rischa and Alisha, his heart was full.  Eddie supported each of them in everything they did.  He made it possible for Rita to obtain her college education in Houston; coached many years of softball for Alisha and taught Rischa everything she needed to be successful and independent. He, along with Vincent Luna and Gerald Wood, started the first ASA girls traveling softball team in Nacogdoches.  He was proud of each of them and loved them dearly.  However, he knew the challenges of raising daughters and when it came to the girls, he took no chances and never gave in to them.  He had a curfew set and they knew to abide by it.  He took great pride coaching Alisha’s softball teams and was their strongest supporter as well as their greatest mentor.  The love of his life, his sweet Rita, made his day bright and he constantly made sure she had everything she needed or wanted.  Eddie had a love of sports, and although he adored the Houston Oilers, upon Rischa adding Stacy to their family, he soon became a Dallas Cowboys fan!  Their television was always on ESPN or Fox News Channel and everyone expected him to be unavailable when he was watching.

Eddie was also an awesome and dedicated worker whether he was a children’s photographer, selling life insurance, and working in inventory control in manufacturing.

Eddie was a supportive husband, loving father and proud grandfather.  He was also very devoted to his Savior and was a member of Grace Bible Church where he took part in the small group bible study.  His love of sports also warranted his involvement with The City of Nacogdoches Parks and Recreation as an umpire for over 20 years.

Eddie will forever be remembered for his dedication to what he loved, his complete devotion to his family and compassionate ways he portrayed to the people around him.

Eddie is survived by loving wife, Rita of Nacogdoches; daughters, Rischa Irwin of Nacogdoches and Alisha Lorio of Frisco; grandsons, Austin Irwin and Ben Irwin both of Nacogdoches; mother-in-law Rita R. Beber of Nacogdoches and numerous nephews who were very special to him. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Eddie J. Sr. and Josephine Lorio; son-in-law, Stacy Irwin; brother, Griffin Lorio; sister, Aline Lorio Gaubert and father-in-law, Carl C. Beber.

Serving as pallbearers will be Austin Irwin, Ben Irwin, Ken Wenning, Douglas Lorio, , Greg Lorio, Lance Lorio and Tim Beber.  Honorary pallbearers are Lance Lorio, Todd Weber and Donnie Gaubert.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Whitley, Dr. Pokala, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Parker, Dr. Shirley and Dr. Hebert as well as the phenomenal nurses and support staff of Nacogdoches Medical Center, Harbor Hospice and Enhabit Home Health Care.

A reception will be held immediately following the graveside service at:

Grace Bible Church

Henderson Hall

2305 Raguet Street

Nacogdoches

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