John Brutus Viator Jr.

Loving son, brother, uncle, and friend, John Brutus Viator, Jr., 74, of New Iberia, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at his home on December 5, 2017, after his battle with pancreatic cancer. John Brutus will be missed by his family and friends. Those who knew John Brutus, knew a man of unwavering selflessness and devotion to his family and church.

Visitation will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home, New Iberia, Louisiana, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, December 8, 2017, with a Rosary at 6:00 pm. Visitation will continue on Saturday, December 9, 2017, from 8:00 am until 9:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church with Fr. Ed Degeyter officiating. Burial will follow the service at Holy Family Mausoleum.

John Brutus was born in New Iberia on October 13, 1943. A lifelong resident of Iberia Parish, John Brutus dedicated his life to maintaining the family farm and its inhabitants as they evolved over the decades. John Brutus epitomized selflessness, relentlessly assisting others without the expectation of personal gain or even gratitude. As a young man, John Brutus assisted his father and younger brother in operating the Brunola Dairy Farm, which later became The Golden Lady Dairy Farm. Never far from his father’s side, John Brutus learned how to be diligent, hardworking, and resolute; traits which never faded. As the family farm transformed, so did John Brutus. When his younger brother, Mike, opened VCI Automotive, Inc. at the farm, John Brutus was quick to demonstrate his resourcefulness as the head Parts Man for VCI. Up until his diagnosis, John Brutus could be found at all hours of the day walking around the farm, tidying up behind his nieces and nephews and their children.

Ever the conversationalist, John Brutus was always quick to strike up a conversation with anyone visiting the farm. Despite his coke bottle glasses, there was not a single visitor who passed through the farm with an expired inspection sticker on their vehicle that did not receive a warning from John Brutus. While a simple man, needing nothing more than a task to achieve, John Brutus positively affected the lives of all who knew him.

John Brutus is survived by his brothers, James Markham Viator and his wife, Laura, and Robert Paul Viator and his wife, Karen; his caretaker and sister-in-law, Regina Gonsoulin Viator; his nieces and nephews, Dawn Reed, Niki Whitman, John Allain Viator, Dr. Timothy Allain Viator, Christina Otwell, Keri Bonin, Paul Michael Viator, William Joseph Viator, Elizabeth Meaux, Charles Vincent Viator, Lucas E. Viator, Jerome M. Viator, Andrea Viator Giacalone, Robert Viator Jr., Jessie Viator and Robbie Terrell; and other family and friends.

John Brutus was preceded in death by his mother, Enola Markham Viator, father, John Brutus Viator Sr., sister, Lucille Katherine Viator, brother, H. Michael Viator.

Serving as pallbearers will be Hawley Gary, Pat Broussard, Robert Paul Viator, Dr. Timothy Allain Viator, Paul Michael Viator and William Joseph Viator. Honorary pallbearers will be James Markham Viator, Mark Viator, Malcom Viator, and Jessie Henry.

John Brutus was a member of the Bayou Teche Right to Life and supporter of Iberia Women’s Center. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Mother Teresa Foundation at P.O. Box 10326, New Iberia, La 70562 or Iberia Women’s Center, iberiawomenscenter.com. The family of John Brutus Viator wishes special thanks to Dr. Son Nguyen and Dr. Timothy Viator, Bridgeway Hospice, and Rebecca Ashy, William, Elizabeth, Virginia and Bobby for their dedication.

Rest in peace John Brutus.

To view on-line obituary, and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of is in charge of arrangements.