Friends of Marvin Girouard, former Pier 1 chairman, can watch online funeral service
Only the immediate family will be able to attend in-person funeral services for their loved one Marvin Girouard, retired chairman and chief executive officer of Pier 1, once one of Fort Worth’s premier corporations.
But hundreds, if not thousands, will be able to attend Girouard’s virtual services, which will be live-streamed beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Online services can also be viewed on Facebook.
Girouard worked at Pier 1 imports for 32 years. He was CEO from 1998 until his retirement in Feb. 19, 2007, according to a news release from Pier 1 at the time.
He traveled the world for Pier 1, first scouring Asia for new products that could be featured for sale and later as an officer for Pier 1 who trained employees on mastering the buying process, said Len Roberts, a longtime friend of the Girouard family.
“He (Girouard) maintained those relationships,” said Roberts, retired Radio Shack chief executive officer.
The online services via live video will allow Girouard’s friends from across the world to pay their respects while still complying with coronavirus restrictions set by various governments, Roberts said. The family is still planning to hold a public memorial service once the dangers from the pandemic have ended, Roberts said.
“It’s a sign of the times,” Roberts said. “This is the way they will do things.”
Girouard was born on Aug. 8, 1939 in Port Arthur, to Wilton A. Girouard and Beatrice Violet Girouard. After graduating from high school, Girouard attended Texas A&M University, where he was president of his class, graduating in 1961 and earning the university’s highest honor in 2002, the Distinguished Alumnus Award, which has been given to fewer than 300 graduates, his obituary said.
Girouard then became an ensign in the U.S. Navy, and was later chosen for special forces training, joining a special division that was the predecessor to the Navy SEALS. Girouard spent 20 years in the Navy reserve and retired as a commander in 1983, according to his obituary.
Girouard married Felice Jeansonne in May of 1966 in San Diego, California, and returned to Texas with his wife, settling in Dallas. Girouard began working for Pier 1 in 1975 and during his first 10 years, traveled to more than 60 foreign countries, making business partners and friends, the obituary said.
In 1988, Girouard was elected president and chief operating officer of Pier 1 Imports and in 1998, he was elected chief executive officer, and in 1999 was elected chairman of the board. Under Girouard, Pier 1 opened more than 1,000 store locations and built a new corporate headquarters in 2005, along the banks of the Trinity River in Fort Worth.
Those wishing to watch the live-streamed services can go to the Saint Andrew Catholic Church and School website and click on the play button, Roberts said. Once streaming starts it will take between 20 and 30 seconds before it is live online, according to Roberts.
If you see the message “Saint Andrew Catholic Church is not broadcasting right now,” click the X to close that black window and try again, Roberts said. When returning to the Saint Andrew website after the live-stream has ended, click the play button again, and in the black window select “Previous Broadcasts” to find the video, Roberts said.
This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 5:18 PM.
