An early mayor of West Orange, Jack R. Etheridge, died this week at the age of 90. Etheridge won a three-way race as mayor in January 1961 and served a few months before deciding not to run again.
West Orange was incorporated in 1954. City Secretary Theresa Van Meter said city council meeting minutes show that on September 2, 1960, Mayor Jack Dardeau resigned unexpectedly. The council did not want to accept his resignation, but agreed. Van Meter said Dardeau was a relative of current councilor Dale Dardeau.
The council called a special election on September 26, 1960, to get a new mayor. The election was set for January 7, 1961. Carrol Bishop was mayor pro tem and served in the top spot until the election.
Etheridge ran against Glenn Seale and Marvin Perkins and won to serve out Dardeau’s unexpired term. Etheridge decided not to run in the April election and Perkins won by being the only candidate.
Etheridge later moved to Bridge City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Second Baptist Church in Bridge City.
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