The Dolphin Talk

04/19/2025

The latest edition of Dolphin Talk is on line today. www.thedolphintalk.com

03/21/2025

02/21/2025

The February issue is on line now.

01/17/2025

The January issue of Dolphin Talk is online: www.thedolphintalk.com There is no print issue this month.

02/10/2023

Hunter Michael Hadley

PORT O’CONNOR — An angel opened up the book of life and wrote down our baby’s birth. Then before our hearts were ready, God whispered as he closed the book, “He’s too beautiful for earth.” Hunter Michael Hadley, 20, of Port O’Connor, TX, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Friday January 27, 2023.
After graduating from Calhoun High School, Hunter worked as a deckhand for Harbor Docking and Towing, docking ships out of the Port of Point Comfort. Taking his next steps towards becoming a Captain of a harbor tug, Hunter recently attended Houston Marine Training where he obtained his Apprentice Mate license.
The thought of Hunter and his contagious giggle puts a smile on your face, and his exuberant life fills us with deep love and compassion. Hunter’s passions ran deep, especially his love of the water. An experienced fisherman, Hunter was known to brag about the one trout on his stringer (even if he did have to wade for 8 hours to catch it). It wasn’t about the quantity of fish caught, but the quality of time spent with those he loved. Hunter was also an avid duck hunter; regardless of the weather, if you said, “Let’s go!” he was already on the boat.
Hunter was a beloved son who always made it a point to invite his family on the boat (only to leave out details like a 4 AM wake-up call). His idea of fun was a wide-open duck blind in the middle of the bay when it’s 40 degrees.
Hunter adored his family and always made time for them. He never missed a chance to send “love you” texts or wrap you in his bear hug. He had a unique way of making you feel like you were the only person in the room.
Hunter did what he loved. He lived passionately. He surrounded himself with the people he loved. Kind-hearted and compassionate, Hunter taught us how to live life to the fullest. But, when you distill the essence, it is love that defines Hunter’s life.
Hunter was preceded in death by great-grandparents, Oswald and Virginia Kirchner, Gerald and Patricia Weathersby and Herman and Winnie Stephens; and grandfather, Raymond Reed.
He is survived by his parents, Michael and Ashley Hadley and Kristen and John Reed; siblings, Holton Hadley, Dane Ramsey, Paisley Hadley, Stetson Hadley, Elizabeth Reed and Ethan Reed; the girlfriend he adored, Raygan Snyder; aunts and uncles, Kristin and Louis Ruiz, Bonnie and Jack Glover, Michelle Hadley and Dennis Zimmerman, Earl E. “Peyton” Ellsworth IV, Terisha and Patrick Herrington, Ralph S. and Erika Weathersby, Ashley and Hugh Caldwell III, Ava Schweke, Aurora Weathersby, Kara Dierschke, Ryan Dierschke, Tony Daniel, Tonia and David Meadows and Ryan and Sylver Reed; grandparents, Buster and Peggy Hadley, Ralph Jecker and Ashley Weathersby, Vicki Stephens, Steven and Shelia Dierschke, Danny and Sheri Evins, Toni Praytor Hanson and Linda Reed; and great-grandparents, Anthony and Dorothy Daniel.
Hunter touched the lives of this community. He united us.
A celebration of life will be at the Port O’Connor Community Center on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Serving as pallbearers are Holton Hadley, Leo Click, Sam Thumann, Will Ragusin, Andrew Ragusin, Ricky Dudley, Dayne Rangel, Ronnie Carriles and Trevor Williamson. Honorary pallbearers are McCoy Wagner and Trent Woody. Please wear your camo attire with jeans to honor Hunter and everything he loved. A second memorial on the water is set for Sunday, February 12, to release a wreath in Hunter’s favorite fishing spot, Fish Pond.
Hunter Michael Hadley

PORT O’CONNOR — An angel opened up the book of life and wrote down our baby’s birth. Then before our hearts were ready, God whispered as he closed the book, “He’s too beautiful for earth.” Hunter Michael Hadley, 20, of Port O’Connor, TX, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Friday January 27, 2023.
After graduating from Calhoun High School, Hunter worked as a deckhand for Harbor Docking and Towing, docking ships out of the Port of Point Comfort. Taking his next steps towards becoming a Captain of a harbor tug, Hunter recently attended Houston Marine Training where he obtained his Apprentice Mate license.
The thought of Hunter and his contagious giggle puts a smile on your face, and his exuberant life fills us with deep love and compassion. Hunter’s passions ran deep, especially his love of the water. An experienced fisherman, Hunter was known to brag about the one trout on his stringer (even if he did have to wade for 8 hours to catch it). It wasn’t about the quantity of fish caught, but the quality of time spent with those he loved. Hunter was also an avid duck hunter; regardless of the weather, if you said, “Let’s go!” he was already on the boat.
Hunter was a beloved son who always made it a point to invite his family on the boat (only to leave out details like a 4 AM wake-up call). His idea of fun was a wide-open duck blind in the middle of the bay when it’s 40 degrees.
Hunter adored his family and always made time for them. He never missed a chance to send “love you” texts or wrap you in his bear hug. He had a unique way of making you feel like you were the only person in the room.
Hunter did what he loved. He lived passionately. He surrounded himself with the people he loved. Kind-hearted and compassionate, Hunter taught us how to live life to the fullest. But, when you distill the essence, it is love that defines Hunter’s life.
Hunter was preceded in death by great-grandparents, Oswald and Virginia Kirchner, Gerald and Patricia Weathersby and Herman and Winnie Stephens; and grandfather, Raymond Reed.
He is survived by his parents, Michael and Ashley Hadley and Kristen and John Reed; siblings, Holton Hadley, Dane Ramsey, Paisley Hadley, Stetson Hadley, Elizabeth Reed and Ethan Reed; the girlfriend he adored, Raygan Snyder; aunts and uncles, Kristin and Louis Ruiz, Bonnie and Jack Glover, Michelle Hadley and Dennis Zimmerman, Earl E. “Peyton” Ellsworth IV, Terisha and Patrick Herrington, Ralph S. and Erika Weathersby, Ashley and Hugh Caldwell III, Ava Schweke, Aurora Weathersby, Kara Dierschke, Ryan Dierschke, Tony Daniel, Tonia and David Meadows and Ryan and Sylver Reed; grandparents, Buster and Peggy Hadley, Ralph Jecker and Ashley Weathersby, Vicki Stephens, Steven and Shelia Dierschke, Danny and Sheri Evins, Toni Praytor Hanson and Linda Reed; and great-grandparents, Anthony and Dorothy Daniel.
Hunter touched the lives of this community. He united us.
A celebration of life will be at the Port O’Connor Community Center on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Serving as pallbearers are Holton Hadley, Leo Click, Sam Thumann, Will Ragusin, Andrew Ragusin, Ricky Dudley, Dayne Rangel, Ronnie Carriles and Trevor Williamson. Honorary pallbearers are McCoy Wagner and Trent Woody. Please wear your camo attire with jeans to honor Hunter and everything he loved. A second memorial on the water is set for Sunday, February 12, to release a wreath in Hunter’s favorite fishing spot, Fish Pond.

02/01/2023

Rayburn Alan Haynie

VICTORIA — Rayburn Alan Haynie, age 77, passed away on January 29, 2023 at his home in Victoria, Texas, with his wife, Alene, by his side. He was born on July 5, 1945 to Joseph Daniel Haynie and Iva Mae Cunningham Haynie in Victoria, Texas. He married Alene Frels Haynie on July 5, 1975 and they made their home in Seadrift, Texas. The couple had one son, Craig Alan Haynie, who proceeded his father in death on November 26, 2018. Rayburn is also proceeded in death by his parents, his brother, Joseph Daniel Haynie, his brother-in-law, Dean Spells, and his niece, Holly Spells.
In addition to his wife, Rayburn is survived by his sister, Sandra Haynie Spells of Aransas Pass, Texas
Rayburn was a graduate of Calhoun High School, class of 1963, and attended Victoria College. Rayburn loved the water and enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, sh*****ng, and water-skiing in his younger years. Later, he owned and operated Haynie’s Seafood, as well as building steel hull shrimp boats, gulf shrimp boats, and oyster boats. In the early 1980’s Rayburn began the large-scale production of Haynie’s Fishing Boats, a shallow draft fishing boat design. The boats were designed, manufactured and sold in Seadrift. In recent years, he sold the business and retired. The various models of Haynie Boats are still very popular. Rayburn also served on the Seadrift City Council for many terms and was Mayor of Seadrift during the 1979 difficult time in Seadrift’s history. Rayburn was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Seadrift and served in various offices on the Church Council. Rayburn and Alene later transferred their membership to First United Methodist Church in downtown Victoria.
Many friends in Seadrift have funny stories and happy memories of their friend “Haynie” and taking trips to the Island, to the rice canals, or to the back bays for camping, fishing and hunting adventures. He will be dearly missed and, no doubt, leaves many tales for repeating by his breakfast-table buddies and his afternoon coffee round-table friends.
In accordance with his wishes, Rayburn will be cremated and there will be no funeral service or visitation. His cremains will be interred in the Seadrift Cemetery in a private graveside service.
For those wishing to do so, memorials may be given in his memory to the Seadrift Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 181, Seadrift, Texas 77983. Share memories and condolences with the family at

Visit Colonial Funeral Home to start planning a funeral or cremation today. Contact us to learn how to plan for yourself or someone you love.

12/15/2022

The December issue of Dolphin Talk is now online: www.thedolphintalk.com

11/17/2022

The November issue of Dolphin Talk is now on line www.thedolphintalk.com

10/04/2022

Randy Noel Hudson, a longtime resident of La Porte who had retired to Port O’Connor, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Saturday evening, Oct. 1, after a brief illness.

Randy, a beloved husband, father and grandfather, was friends with virtually every person he met, and he had a particular passion for his family, fishing, sh*****ng and hunting – and his two granddaughters.

He was born September 5, 1959 in Pasadena and spent most of his youth in Port O’Connor. After retirement from his 30-year career at Lyondell in La Porte, he returned to Port O’Connor, where he operated the Fishing Center. He and his wife Patty had recently completed construction of their retirement home in Port O’Connor.

Randy was particularly involved in youth sports with his kids, where his daughter Brooke played softball for La Porte High School and later Boston University; and where his son Travis played both football and baseball at LPHS, and later at CalhounHigh School in Port Lavaca. Randy rarely missed a game.

Preceded in death by his parents Mary Jo and James Hudson, Randy is survived by a truly loving family, including his wife Patty; daughter Brooke Hudson Naghavi and husband Shahin and their daughters Averie and Ariana; and son Travis and his girlfriend Cassie Lawrence.

Also surviving are sister Cheryl and her husband Tom Nowlin and their daughter Misty and her husband Chris as well as sons Jake and Mason; brother Keith Hudson and his wife Yvonne; and sister Cindy and her husband Grant Lee and their family, including Clay Voss and his wife Lauren, Kayla Taylor and her husband Chase, and daughter Brooke.

Also playing important roles in Randy’s life over the years are Patty’s parents, Glenn and Judy Miller, and Patty’s brother and sisters, including Patty’s sister Sharon and her husband Tim Miller; brother Harold Miller and his wife Vivian and their daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Sean Kennedy; brother Ronnie Miller and his wife Sheila and their son Jacob; and sister Victoria Heidaker and her husband Mark and their son Logan and daughter Kyla.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 6th at King Fisher Beach (The Front Beach) at 11 am, followed by his burial at the Port O’Connor Cemetery after. For those that would like to join the family in fellowship to share stories and visit about Randy and his life, please join them at the Port O’Connor Community Center following his burial.

Randy Noel Hudson, a longtime resident of La Porte who had retired to Port O’Connor, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Saturday evening, Oct. 1, after a brief illness.

Randy, a beloved husband, father and grandfather, was friends with virtually every person he met, and he had a particular passion for his family, fishing, sh*****ng and hunting – and his two granddaughters.

He was born September 5, 1959 in Pasadena and spent most of his youth in Port O’Connor. After retirement from his 30-year career at Lyondell in La Porte, he returned to Port O’Connor, where he operated the Fishing Center. He and his wife Patty had recently completed construction of their retirement home in Port O’Connor.

Randy was particularly involved in youth sports with his kids, where his daughter Brooke played softball for La Porte High School and later Boston University; and where his son Travis played both football and baseball at LPHS, and later at CalhounHigh School in Port Lavaca. Randy rarely missed a game.

Preceded in death by his parents Mary Jo and James Hudson, Randy is survived by a truly loving family, including his wife Patty; daughter Brooke Hudson Naghavi and husband Shahin and their daughters Averie and Ariana; and son Travis and his girlfriend Cassie Lawrence.

Also surviving are sister Cheryl and her husband Tom Nowlin and their daughter Misty and her husband Chris as well as sons Jake and Mason; brother Keith Hudson and his wife Yvonne; and sister Cindy and her husband Grant Lee and their family, including Clay Voss and his wife Lauren, Kayla Taylor and her husband Chase, and daughter Brooke.

Also playing important roles in Randy’s life over the years are Patty’s parents, Glenn and Judy Miller, and Patty’s brother and sisters, including Patty’s sister Sharon and her husband Tim Miller; brother Harold Miller and his wife Vivian and their daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Sean Kennedy; brother Ronnie Miller and his wife Sheila and their son Jacob; and sister Victoria Heidaker and her husband Mark and their son Logan and daughter Kyla.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 6th at King Fisher Beach (The Front Beach) at 11 am, followed by his burial at the Port O’Connor Cemetery after. For those that would like to join the family in fellowship to share stories and visit about Randy and his life, please join them at the Port O’Connor Community Center following his burial.

09/26/2022

While enjoying the fall weather, POC Kindergarten enjoyed some homemade applesauce. Left to right-Avery Williamson, Rhys McCauley, and Osvin Martinez.