In the early hours of October 4, 2018, Francois Sydney Loupe slipped peacefully from this world after living 80 interesting and fulfilling years in his home state of Louisiana. He was born in Maurepas on January 20, 1938 to Percy "Red" and Leontine "Nettie" Loupe and his sister and two brothers. Known as "Frank" by most, he was a much-loved member of the Maurepas Community for more than 50 years. To his three daughters he was "Daddy," and to his nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren he was "Pawpaw." Frank joined the Navy at age 18 and spent time stationed in Japan and San Diego and was honorably discharged four years later. He returned to Louisiana and lived in Chalmette for several years before moving back to his beloved Maurepas with his children and their mother. Over the decades, he played many active rolls in his community and especially loved serving as a mentor to the younger generation, even volunteering as a mentor in the Junior Achievement Program for some time. He was instrumental in the creation of the original Billy Forehand's Christmas on the Bayou Boat Parade in which he played Santa Claus for several years handing out treat-filled stockings to children. Frank gave many of his later years to Kevin's Cajun Café, a job he loved, and his last job before retirement was as a custodian at Maurepas High School, the same school that sent him off into his adult life, and there he met many of the kids he mentored and adored. On most days he could be found cheering on the Maurepas Wolves or eating at Sue's Cafe with his number one buddy, JB. Frank enjoyed telling stories of his childhood days working on his family's strawberry farm and how much he did not, in fact, enjoy it. He was a member of the Maurepas Baptist Church where he was baptized and received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Frank's heart and love for his community will be so dearly missed by all who knew him, but he was sure to leave behind a legacy of love and kindness in his family and friends. He is survived by his daughters, Robin Loupe Bates, Tammy Loupe Burkett, and Penny Loupe Wyatt (Johnny); grandchildren, Brandon Durst, Ronald Durst, Jae Dawn, Travis Durst, Brittany Alford (Travis), Stephanie Bates, Alanda Holliday (David), Alicia Lewis, and Bethany Lewis; great-grandchildren, Alexis Durst and baby Sadie due in December, Levi and Luke Holliday, Jackson and Caroline Alford, and Graysen McCreary; siblings, Tessie Berthelot (Robert) and Jerry Loupe (Joanne); many nieces and nephews and extended family and treasured friends; and his honorary family, Jace Berthelot, Bubba and Sue Carroll, the Stewart and Berthelot families, the family of Gladys Berthelot, Kane Crozier, Raymond and Jessie Roberts, Sue Berthelot and Amanda "Sweet Lips" Cannon, Anthony "Slim" Gregoire, and the faculty and staff of Maurepas High School. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Joseph Loupe. The family wants to thank everyone who brought all of Frank's favorite foods to him in his final days. There are no words to describe how happy that made him, and he savored every bite. We extend our gratitude further to St. Joseph Hospice and his aide Ms. Emma, his nurse Tiffany, his long-term Humana nurse Dawn Aydell, and Milton Robbins and Ourso Funeral Home. Words don't seem adequate to explain the love and appreciation for everyone who helped care for Frank in his final weeks of life, especially his brother Jerry Loupe Sr., his godchild Jerry Loupe Jr., sister-in-law Joanne Loupe, and dear friends Bubba and Sue Carroll. A visitation will be held Sunday night, October 7, from 5 to 8 pm at Maurepas Baptist Church, and we will meet again Monday morning, October 8, at the church at 8 am. Burial service will start at 10, and we will say our final earthly goodbyes to our father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Frank hand-picked his pallbearers – Travis Durst, Travis Alford, Jace Berthelot, AJ Loupe, Kane Crozier, Jason McLin, Morris Berthelot, and Dwayne Priest. Honorary pallbearers – Brandon Durst, Ronald Durst, Jerry Loupe Jr., David Holliday, LA Overton, Christian Vicknair, Cole Berthelot, Denver Delatte, and Nick Delatte. All of you and so many more were treasured by Frank.
