ST. MARTINVILLE- A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted for Dudley Joseph David, Sr., age 91, at 3:00 pm Thursday, March 15, 2018 at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church with Fr. Ed Degeyter officiating. Burial will follow at St. Michael’s Mausoleum with Military Services conducted by Iberia Veterans Honor Guard.
"Dud" as he was well known to everyone was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Mr. David departed this life surrounded by his family Sunday, March 11, 2018.
A gathering of family and friends will begin at 8:30 am on Thursday at Evangeline Funeral Home until time of service with a rosary at 10:00 am.
Dudley was the youngest of 10, born on October 18, 1926 to the late Wiley and Erita Hebert David from Erath and was a resident of St. Martinville. He proudly served our Country in the U. S. Army as a Radio Operator in World War II; he received the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Occupation Medal Japan and the World War II Victory Medal.
He worked as a motion picture projectionist at a young age then as a Service Man for United Gas, Entex and Centerpoint Energy for 37 years. Dudley is a past member of the Rotary Club. Dudley also enjoyed bowling with the United Gas Bowlers, playing music with Randy & the Rockets band and being a pilot with the St. Martinville Flying Club. He enjoyed hunting and cooking at his house boat at Buffalo Cove in the Basin. In his later years he chose R. V. Camping as a choice of enjoyment with his wife. He belonged to the Crusining Cajuns and C'est La'Vie Campers. He and his wife traveled to 38 States and 3 Provinces in Canada. Their favorite place was vacationing on the beach with the entire family. The family gatherings were always a highlight in his life which included cooking up some delicious food.
Though he will be remembered for many wonderful things, his unwavering love, loyalty, and selfless compassionate care for Leona was a true testament to their 67 years of marriage. His charisma and wittiness was a delight to all he encountered.
He will be truly missed by his children Dudley J. David, Jr. and wife Rena; Bill W. David and wife Debbie of St. Martinville; Toni D. Simoneaud and husband Roy from New Iberia; his grandchildren Mandy S. Boudreaux and husband Nick; Carly S. Chevalon; Steven David and wife Melinda; Allison David and fiance' Seth Courville, step-grandchildren Jeremy Riegger and wife Marnell and Jeff Haggins from St. Martinville. His great-grandchildren Soniah Rodrigue, McKayla R. Romero, LeAnna Simoneaud, Tanner Chevalon, Sawyer Chevalon, Grace David and Adaline Courville and one great great-grandchild and a host of nieces and nephews and a dear relative Debbie Ayala who was like a daughter to him and he a father to her.
In addition to his parents and his wife Leona he was preceded in death by his grandson David J. Simoneaud; his brothers Clemille "Veaux", Elie, Minos, Dalton, Randolph, Elva David; his sisters Eunice D. Broussard, Elite D. Landry and infant Elitess David and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Walter and Angelle C. Trosclair.
Pallbearers are Dudley David, Jr., Bill David, Roy Simoneaud, Steven David, Nick Boudreaux and Craig Landry.
Readers will be Allison David and Rena David. Gift Bearers are Mandy S. Boudreaux and Carly S. Chevalon. Vocalist Kerrie Laviolette will sing accompanied by Pat Melancon on the organ.
The family would like to thank the following for their outstanding and compassionate care for their father Dudley; Dr. Bradley Chastant, Dr. Jason Cormier and the resident doctors, Dr. Bradley Champagne, Lafayette General Hospital Nurses and CNA's from the 9th Floor, 10th Floor, Emergency Room, ICU and St. Martinville-Lafayette General Hospital & Rehab in Breaux Bridge, and Grace Home Health Care. Special thanks to Dr. Bhanushali and nurses at St. Joseph Hospice "The Carpenter House" during his final days with us.
To view on-line obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of St. Martinville is in charge of arrangements.
