Lester J. Champagne

Erath – A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Lester Joseph Champagne, 73, will be held at 11:00AM on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Bill Melancon Officiating.  Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery.

Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Erath on Monday, February 1, 2016 from 5:00PM until 9:00PM with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00PM.  Visitation will resume on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 from 8:00AM until the timer of Service.

A native of Henry and a resident of Erath Mr. Lester died at 4:20AM on Sunday, January 31, 2016.  In 1968 Lester and Irene Champagne opened up Champagne’s Super Market located in Erath. A few years later in 1984 they opened Champagne’s Super Market in Delcambre and shortly thereafter in 1998 the opened up Delcambre Fuel Depot a convenience store and mini truck stop in Delcambre.

Early in his younger years he held numerous jobs that would shape his business talents into what he and his family now runs together. He stared out as a milk man with Vermilion creamery, he also was employed with a finance company in New Iberia, a department store in Rayne La, and finally with A& P Food Stores which would lead him into a very successful business career.

Thru out the years Lester belonged to numerous retail organizations, Affiliated Foods of Broussard, Associated Grocers of Baton Rouge, Church Point Wholesales. He was also a member of NGA (national grocers association) FMI (food market institute) a worldwide organization established to not only help retail grocers but to sponsor different community events. He was also a member of NACS (national association of convenience stores). He also belonged to other charitable organizations.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Irene Romero Champagne of Erath; three sons, Jude Wendell Champagne and his wife Julie of Erath, Clint David Champagne and his wife Amy of Erath, and Cotty Lane Champagne and his wife Valerie of Erath; a brother, Elie “Coon” Champagne of Erath; three sisters, Elaine LeBlanc of Delcambre, Edith Suire of Erath, and Laurence Landry of Delcambre; eleven grandchildren, Brodie Champagne, Trevor Champagne, Tristan Champagne, Hunter Champagne, Hannah Champagne, Lilli Champagne, Kate Champagne, Maggie Champagne, Matthew  Champagne, Kale Champagne, and Cade Francis; and five great grandchildren, Layla Champagne, Carter Champagne, Camden Champagne, Cooper Champagne, and Wyatt Champagne.

He was preceded in death his parents, Felician and Lillian Toups Champagne; a son, Brentley James Champagne; and two sisters, Rena Luquette and Elida Luquette.

Serving as pallbearers will be Brodie Champagne, Trevor Champagne, Tristan Champagne, Hunter Champagne, Heath Champagne, and Ricky Luquette.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Nick Champagne, Eddie Labit, Larry Broussard, Matthew Champagne, and Kale Champagne.

In lieu of flowers donations to be made to the Erath Backers Club for a scholarship in memory of Brentley James Champagne and Lester Joseph Champagne.  Mail donations to: Erath Backers Club P.O. Box 24 Erath, LA 70533.

David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.