New Iberia - Memorial Services will be conducted for Ronald James Sonnier, Sr., 76, on Friday, November 6, 2015, at 7:00 PM in the David Funeral Home Chapel. A gathering of the family and friends will be on Friday, November 6, 2015 from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM at David Funeral Home at 1101 Trotter St. in New Iberia. A native of Delcambre and a resident of Coteau, Mr. Sonnier passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2015, at 2:29 PM in a Lafayette hospital. He served in the U. S. Navy. He was the owner and operator of Ron Sonnier Motor Company, a Charter Member of the Twin Parish Port Commission, the first President of the Iberia Parish Drainage Commission, a respected Real Estate Developer and the owner of Delcambre Oil Company. He was a private pilot and a flight instructor. He was employed with the Iberia Parish Sherriff Office for sixteen years and held the rank of Major and was the Chief of Narcotics. He formed the first K-9 Unit with the Iberia Parish Sheriff Office, worked closely with U. S. Customs and coordinated and piloted many search and rescue missions. He was an accomplished musician for over fifty years and was a member of the Cultural French Music Association. He gave guitar and fiddle lessons to many people over the years, including well known people such as Hunter Hayes. He formed the band "Grand Prairie". He had a tremendous love for horseback riding, hunting and fishing. He loved cold rainy days so much so that he chose to leave us on days such as that. In his own words, his greatest accomplishment was his family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jessie Jean Pierce Sonnier of Coteau; his sons, Ronald J. Sonnier, Jr. and his wife Debra of New Iberia, Steven J. Sonnier and his wife Gwen and William N. Sonnier all of Maurice; his daughters, Cheri S. Braquet and her husband Jason of Loreauville, Hollie S. Johnson and her fiance' Kyle Rouly, Adrienne R. Trahan and her husband Neal all of New Iberia and Cari S. Latiolais and her husband Eugene of St. Martinville; his sisters, Dianne Martin and her fiance' Ralph and Glenda Bodin and her husband Ken all of Delcambre; his grandchildren, Crystal, Drew, Derek, Devin, Stephanie, Jacie, Ned, Steven, Jr., Gabrielle, Savanah, Cole, Pierce, Jason, Jr., Christian, Skylar, Hunter, Tyler, Kaylee, Hale and Dane and his great grandchildren, Kensley, Samantha, Shaylynn, Sage, Cameron, Owen and Ned, Jr.. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ned E. Sonnier and Delphine Mazie Delcambre Sonnier and his grandson, Ronald James Sonnier, III. The family request memorials to defray funeral expenses. You can sign the guest register book and / or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org David Funeral Home of New Iberia, 1101 Trotter St. (337) 369-6336 is in charge of arrangements.
