Aubrey J. LaPlace

A native and resident of St. Gabriel, he died at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, at Lakewood Quarters at age 85. He was a retired businessman and community activist. He was the recipient of the Department of the Army Commander Award for Public Service and the Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, and he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He had also been honored with the Iberville Parish Foundation for Academic Excellence Leadership in Public Education Award, honorary membership on the Waterway Commission and honorary membership in the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Association. He was a member of the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, and the board of directors of Iberville Bank, and president of the District 2 Iberville Parish Water Works. He served as the president of the Ponchartrain Levee Board for 32 years. Mr. LaPlace was a board member of the Horsemen's Benevolence and Protective Association, a member of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and served as a commissioner on the Louisiana State Racing Commission for eight years. He was an active member of the St. Gabriel Catholic Church, having served on various committees. His love for LSU sports was evident by his membership in the Tiger Athletic Foundation, the LSU baseball Coach's Committee and the LSU basketball's Six Man Club. Aubrey is survived by his wife of 64 wonderful years, Jacqueline Prejean LaPlace; his daughters, Catherine LaPlace Hurston, Jeanne LaPlace Billodeaux and spouse John, and Denise LaPlace Delahoussaye and spouse Glenn; son, Aubrey John LaPlace Jr.; his grandchildren, Paige Hurston Mitts and spouse Lester, Melissa Hurston Carroll and spouse Carter, Ryan Hebert and spouse Jessica, John B. LaPlace, Emily Hebert, Dustin Delahoussaye, and Hannah Delahoussaye; and his great-grandchildren, Aubrey Carroll, Trey Mitts, Noah Hebert, David Carroll and Jacqueline Kate Mitts. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian and Joseph LaPlace Sr.; sister, Evelyn Carver and spouse Charles; and brothers, Joseph LaPlace Jr. and spouse Earleen, Colby LaPlace Sr., Gerald LaPlace, Kent LaPlace and Carl LaPlace Sr. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Marion LaPlace and Delores LaPlace. Family visitation at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, St. Gabriel, on Friday was from 11 a.m. with public visitation from noon until Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Tony Russo, celebrant. Interment in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Kent LaPlace, Dustin Delahoussaye, Ryan Hebert, John Billodeaux, John LaPlace and Glenn Delahoussaye. Special thanks to Mable Edmond, Eddie Davis, Angela Jackson, Chris Coleman, Willie Johnson, Melissa Williams and the staff at Lakewood Quarters. Memorial donations to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 in his name would be appreciated. Arrangements by Rabenhorst Funeral Home.