Fala was born on December 1, 1931 in Catahoula to the late Joseph Dauphinet Sr. and Isabelle Bourque.
He was married to Lories Camille Dauphinet for 65 years. They were wed on May 9, 1953. In addition to his loving wife, Fala leaves behind his four children, Dixie Dauphinet, Herby Dauphinet and wife Cindy, Todd Dauphinet and partner Missy Labbie, and Toby Dauphinet and wife Cindy; eight grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Dauphinet Sr. and Isabelle Bourque Dauphinet; and numerous brothers and sisters.
Fala was an avid baseball fan and was a member of the Catahoula Dirtmovers baseball team in the late 50’s and early 60’s. He enjoyed horse racing and fishing (Trot Lines) for catfish in the Catahoula Lake and Atchafalaya Basin. Fala also served his country fighting in the Korean War in the early 1950’s. He loved sharing his experiences and stories of his days during the war.
In his early days, Fala first worked in the family business of picking moss. He later opened and ran a full service gas station in Catahoula for the majority of his career. Fala concluded his working days when he retired from Martin Mills in St. Martinville on December 8, 1996.
Fala was always known as the prankster in the group and got his laughs by scaring people and playing jokes on family and friends. Even in his last days, he was still trying to scare the people that were caring for him. Richard “Fala” Dauphinet will be missed by all, especially his family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 10:00 am at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Catahoula with Fr. Bill Melancon officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Lake Mausoleum.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Tuesday at Dion Hall from 3:00 pm until 10:00 pm. The hall will reopen on Wednesday at 7:00 am until service time. A rosary will be recited by Fr. Bill Melancon at 7:30 pm on Tuesday.
Pall bearers will be Herby Dauphinet, Todd Dauphinet, Toby Dauphinet, Jeremy Champagne, Trevor Dauphinet, and Tyler Dauphinet.
Honorary pallbearer will be Kane Comeaux.
To view the on-line obituary and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of St. Martinville is in charge of arrangements.
