LoreauvilleA mass of Christian burial will be held for Mr. Samuel Joseph Delcambre, age 94 , on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 2:00 PM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with Fr. Buddy Breaux officiating. Entombment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum. A gathering of remembrance for family and friends to celebrate the life of Samuel Delcambre will be held at David Funeral Home of Loreauville Friday, August 21, 2015 at 8:00 AM until the time of service. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 21, 2015. Samuel Delcambre was a native of Iberia Parish and a lifelong resident of Loreauville. Samuel was born to Odilon Delcambre and the former Emie LeBlanc on January 22, 1921. Sam joined the Air Force in 1942 at the age of 21 and was assigned to the 93rd Bomber Group 328th Squadron as a B-24 waist gunner. His plane, "Jerk's Natural", was a part of Ted's Flying Circus. Sam, a Technical Sergeant, completed over 30 flying combat missions. He lost his hearing during World War II as a result of these combat missions. For his heroism, the United States Air Force awarded Sam the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Airman's Medal four times. At the end of WWII, Sam returned to the United States and became an instructor at the First Air Force Training Center in Charleston, South Carolina to help create the next generation of Airmen. After being discharged from the Air Force, Sam was employed as an electrical contractor. Sam spent many hours in his woodworking shop making clocks and crucifixes which he gave to his many friends and relatives. When he gave the crucifixes, he asked for prayers for his failing eyesight due to macular degeneration. He never went completely blind and was truly able to enjoy his life until the end. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gloria Judice Delcambre; his son John R. Delcambre and his wife, Yvette, of Loreauville; his daughter Debra Delcambre Shackelford and her husband, Jeff, of New Iberia; four grandchildren: Brody Delcambre and his wife, Tya, of Scottsdale, AZ, Kelly Delcambre Criner and her husband, Captain Nicholas Criner, of El Paso, TX, Amanda Shackelford of Lafayette and Justin Shackelford of Lafayette; three great grandchildren: Hanz Criner, Zoey Criner, and Maya Delcambre; his sister, Peggy Motty; and his brother, Dr. O. P. Delcambre, and his wife Page. He is preceded in death by his parents Odilon and Emie LeBlanc Delcambre; twin brother, Sampson C. Delcambre; and sisters: Nell Calahan, Katie Pelton, and Hildred Abshire. Servings as pallbearers are John Delcambre, Brody Delcambre, Jeff Shackelford, and Justin Shackelford. You may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org David Funeral Home of Loreauville 118 Main Street, (337) 229-8338 is in charge of the services.
