A pioneer in Lafayette Parish politics died at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 17, 2010. Walter St. Julien Comeaux, Jr., 72, passed away at his residence in Broussard, LA. Comeaux is best known for his 30 years of participating in City and Parish government. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Broussard. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at David Funeral Home, from 3:00pm till 9:00pm on Monday April 19, 2010 with a recitation of the rosary at 6:30pm. Visitation shall resume at 8:00am on Tuesday April 20, 2010. Father Louis Richard, Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, will be the Celebrant of the Mass of Christian Burial which will be concelebrated by Msgr. Harry Benefield and Fr Kieth Landry. The Sacred Heart Choir will perform musical selections. Entombment will take place in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Mausoleum. Prior to his service in politics, Mr. Comeaux served as a Sgt. in the Louisiana National Guard. He was educated and graduated from what was then St. Cecilia High School in Broussard. He also attended SLI which is today the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Walter Comeaux then made his move to local politics, following in the footsteps of his father who had at one time been Sheriff of Lafayette Parish. Mr. Comeaux first served on the Broussard City Council and was then elected to the Lafayette Parish Police Jury, and served as the youngest Police Jury President in the history of the Lafayette Parish Police Jury. Most notable at this time was his oversight of funeral home owners who no longer were able to provide ambulance service to the community. His son said, The story we always heard was that one day the funeral businesses came into his office and threw the keys on my dads desk and said, We arent doing this anymore. Luckily, after getting a group of Vietnam Veteran medics together Richard Zuschlag and Roland Dugas met with Mr. Comeaux to establish an ambulance company that today is noted for being a leader in its field. Zuschlag remarked, Acadian Ambulance was able to become a vital part of this community because of the belief and leadership that Walter Comeaux showed at a time when the residents here were quite concerned about fast emergency medical coverage. Yes, Roland and I had the idea. But Acadian made its mark because Walter really went to bat for us, wanting to offer Lafayette a suitable solution. After his years on the Lafayette Parish Police Jury Mr. Comeaux left office in 1976 to pursue real estate development and to be a father to his children during the most vital time of their lives. After an eight year absence from public life he was in 1983 elected to become the first and only Parish President. He was later elected Lafayettes first City-Parish President and served two terms in that office prior to his retirement in 2003. He was known for his innate ability to bring people together from the city, parish, state and federal levels when called for. Shortly after being elected City Parish President Comeaux brought a $229 million dollar bond issue before the voters which funded Camellia Boulevard, Louisiana Avenue and a host of other projects. This was accomplished without raising taxes. According to Glen Weber, who was Mr Comeauxs Chief Administrative Officer, Walter built more within this community in terms of roads, museums, and law enforcement provisions than in my opinion all the mayors together had constructed before him. Most notable in capital improvements was Camellia Blvd. and North Louisiana Ave. He also helped to build a badly needed new police station, and a downtown museum. Family life was extremely important to Mr. Comeaux. Weber explained, If you ask me, Walter wrote the book on family life. He loved his wife, children, and grand children; his many friends; and along with loving people had a great love for the outdoors. He couldnt wait for hunting season, said Weber. That is when he became like a little boy. Mr. Comeaux has received numerous awards both for his philanthropic work in the community and for his political achievements. He was most active in his former school St. Cecilia and in his church parish of Sacred Heart. He is survived by his children, one daughter, Pamela Lynn Zuschlag and her husband John of Broussard and two sons, Walter S. Comeaux III of Broussard and Ed Comeaux and his wife Louise of Broussard, six grandchildren: Justin and Carr Zuschlag, Mallory and Walter Comeaux IV, and Zack and Jennifer Comeaux. In addition, he is survived by siblings Veda Cuny of Lafayette and Elaine Bankston of Lafayette. Mr. Comeaux was preceded in death by Earline, the love of his life for 51 years, his parents Walter S. (Bill) Comeaux and Carmen Labbe Comeaux both of Broussard. The following siblings also preceded him in death: Edmond J. Comeaux, Juanita Comeaux, Carmen Granger, Judy Youngblood, and Billy Gail Brittan. Pallbearers will be Justin Zuschlag, Carr Zuschlag, Walter Comeaux IV, Zack Comeaux, A.B. Bernard, and Kenneth Romero. Honorary pallbearers are The Rat Pack as well as lifelong friends John C. Broussard, Tommy Billeaud, Neil Reaux, Alfred Larrieviere, Ronnie Reaux, Charles Morvant, Harold Hollier, Huey Bernard, and Frank Garber. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the St. Cecilia Foundation, 302 West Main Street, Broussard, LA 70518. You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.com. David Funeral Home, 316 Youngsville Highway, Lafayette is in charge of funeral arrangements.
