Thomas Matthews Dufour

A true “Louisiana Sportsman” went to his heavenly home early on September 30, 2021. Thomas Matthews Dufour, 85, loved waterfowl hunting, even if it was just to talk about it with someone who might share his affinity.

Thomas was born January 24, 1936 to Clifton Clarence Dufour and Maggie Orvilla Bankston in Baton Rouge, La. where he lived his whole life. He graduated from Istrouma High School in 1954, attended LSU, served in the Army briefly, and trained in the Esso training program for service station managers.

Tom married Patsy Carolyn Chambers in 1958 and opened an Esso service station a few weeks later. In 1961 he started his career at Dow Chemical Co., retiring 30 years later in 1991. He had a busy and enjoyable retirement.

Much of Tom’s 30 years of retirement was spent helping and serving others as well as “piddling” in his shop. One of his priorities was helping the widows in membership at Istrouma Baptist Church, which he began attending 9 months before he was born. He was a deacon and was on committees in service to his friends and fellow church members. In later years he served as part of the greeting ministry and welcomed folks who came in “his” door. He knew their names and as much about them as they might share with him. His favorite Scripture was Psalms 84:10 (ESV): For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Tom was a member of the Baton Rouge Chapter of Delta Waterfowl and was part of the founding members, as well as the committee planning the annual banquet. He made a huge contribution to Delta Waterfowl’s ongoing preservation project of erecting henhouses in the breeding areas of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Canada. These henhouses are nests up off the ground, protecting the nesting ducks from predators. Tom scrounged materials from various industries in the Baton Rouge area, constructed the supports for the henhouses, loaded them up and hauled them to North Dakota for distribution by Wildlife officials.

In addition to his wife of 63 years, Tom is survived by his daughter, Pallas Dufour Dunn of Port Allen, and his son, Clifton E. Dufour and daughter-in-love Lisa Johnson Dufour of Baton Rouge. Also survived by his beloved grandsons, Jordan E. Dedon and wife Maria Flores Dedon of Walker, and Hunter D. Dufour and wife Christine Catalinotto Dufour of Addis. Numerous cousins throughout Baton Rouge, in Louisiana, and other states also survive him. He is preceded in death by his parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and his son-in-law, Frank Alvin “Beau” Dunn, II.

Services are as follows: Visitation on Friday, October 8, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Greenoaks Funeral Home, Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge, La.; second visitation on Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 2:00 PM until funeral services at 3:00 PM at Istrouma Baptist Church, I-12 & Airline, Baton Rouge, La. Burial will follow the services in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Groom Road, Baker, La.

Pallbearers: William Davis, Warren Landry, Barry Staples, Jerry Chenevert, Mike Wheeler, Bob Wales

Honorary Pallbearers: his 11:00 Sunday morning Bible study class, and surviving members of his Istrouma High School class.

Flowers and plants are appreciated; however, Tommy would also appreciate your support of his two favorite charities. Please donate to either of the following: Istrouma Baptist Church, istrouma.org/give; or Delta Waterfowl, deltawaterfowl.org/donate.