Homer John Dugas

Homer John Dugas, 84, a native and resident of Loreauville, died Friday, July 18, at 4:30 p.m. at his residence surrounded by family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Laurent (Jean) Dugas, and Mercedes Provost of Loreauville. Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home in Loreauville on Monday, July 21 ^st from 3 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. A mass will be celebrated at St. Josephs Catholic Church Tuesday, July 22 ^nd at 11:00 a.m. Following the mass, Interment will be at St. Josephs Cemetery.

Homer is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Anna Mae Vaughn of Loreauville, six daughters- Mrs. Pat (Dugas) Barras and her husband Larry Barras of Marietta, Georgia; Cindy Dugas, Wanda (Dugas) Broussard, Mercedes Dugas of Loreauville; Mrs. Willette (Dugas) Bonin and her husband Ken Bonin of Youngsville; Laurene (Dugas) Theriot of St. Martinville, and one son, Tommy Dugas and his wife Anne- Claire (Drevon) Dugas of Virginia, one sister, Mrs. Sybil (Dugas) Verret Pellerin of New Iberia; eleven grandchildren-Braden and Alicia Barras of Atlanta, Georgia; Desiree Ashwell, Taylor Broussard, Jacquie Guillot of Loreauville, Sergeant First Class Beau Broussard of Augusta, Georgia; Nadine (Bonin) Theriot, Leila (Bonin) Dartez and Andrea (Theriot) Potier of Lafayette; Natalie and Lyle Theriot of St. Martinville and eight great-grandchildren, Talia and Jake Barras, Kayla and Ava Broussard, Ana and Ava Theriot, Kandis and Kassidy Guillot. Pallbearers will be Larry and Braden Barras, Beau and Taylor Broussard, Tommy Dugas, and Ken Bonin. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Vaughn, Micko Theriot, Chris Potier, Adam Guillot, Louis Prince, Zachary Vaughn, Lyle Theriot and Brooks Dartez.

Homer was born in 1924 at the family home near Lake Dauterive. With the onset of World War II, at seventeen years old, Homer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was assigned to the 2 ^nd Marine Division, 6 ^th Marines. His unit received a Presidential Unit Citation for service in action against the enemy on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, and a Presidential Unit Citation ribbon bar with star for service in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign. Homer was awarded a Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on Tarawa, November 25, 1943.

Of all the activities that Homer enjoyed with his wife and family, he loved to dance, cook, and travel. He spent his life enjoying numerous local festivals and celebrating the Cajun life he so loved. Following his retirement, Homer, to observe the flow of life in the area he loved, visited McDonalds on main street in New Iberia twice daily for seventeen years and endeared himself to the kind, professional employees who secured his favorite table for his timed visits and addressed him as Pop.

A lifelong parishioner at St. Josephs Church in Loreauville, Homer served as a trustee of the church and worked tirelessly to promote financial contributions to Gods Acre, a church building project. He also served on the Board of Trustees of LaSalette Hospital in Loreauville as a member of Woodmen of the World. A kind, friendly, confident and quick-witted raconteur and humorist, his entertaining conversations engaged family, friends, and acquaintances. His joie de vivre instilled in everyone an appreciation of Cajun family life. He created an annual family tradition of a week long beach vacation to Galveston, Texas and Grand Isle, Louisiana.

An affectionate and loving husband, Homer treasured his wife of sixty-two years; they spent every moment together. His hobbies included gardening, caning chairs, and woodworking; he built a grandfather clock, restored antique clocks, caned chairs, rockers, and end tables, and created unique cornices and mantles for the family home. A Cajun cook, he provided fabulous meals for family gatherings and enjoyed preserving blackberries, figs, pears, and tomatoes from the various gardens he tended over his life.

A Scholarship Fund has been set up for Loreauville High School Seniors in honor of Homer John Dugas. Donations can be mailed to Regions Bank c/o Homer Dugas Scholarship Fund P. O. Box 1038 Loreauville, La 70552.

David Funeral Home of Loreauville, 118 Main St. (337) 229-8338 is in charge of arrangements.