Ed Dawdy

Joseph Edwin “Ed” Dawdy passed away peacefully on Friday, May 29, 2026 surrounded by his family. Ed leaves behind a legacy of community involvement, fishery stewardship, wisdom, and an immense love for his family and friends.

Ed was born in Delhi, Louisiana and raised on a cotton farm in the small northeast Louisiana community of Epps. Working alongside his parents and brother the small sweltry homestead taught Ed hard work, humility, and perseverance. He attended Northeast Louisiana University, where he met the love of his life, Marilyn Vallee. The two married on February 1, 1968, and Ed graduated with a degree in Agri-Business in 1970. With two very young redheaded daughters (Beth and Melanie) in tow, the couple settled in Sulphur, a community he loved and called home the rest of his life. The young family quickly established deep roots and became an integral part of the area. They built a life serving others and nurturing relationships.

In 1970 Dawdy began a career in education at W.O. Boston, where he taught industrial arts and science. He went on to teach science at LaGrange Middle School, and W.W. Lewis. He became a vice principal at LeBlanc Middle and ultimately Principal of D.S. Perkins Elementary. Along the way, Dawdy earned an additional bachelor’s in Education, a master’s degree and a plus 30 from USL and McNeese. Ed loved his students and often amazed others by remembering their names, family and personal details, even many decades later. As an administrator Ed had a widespread reputation for being just and fair both with faculty and students.

In 1975 Ed and Marilyn welcomed son, Rusty and in 1978 they opened Handi-Man Rentals which quickly evolved into Marilyn’s Flowers and Catering. Even though Marilyn ran the business, Ed was always in the background providing hard work, logistical support, supervising labor and helping in any way necessary. Their company grew and evolved over the decades to include The Veranda at Marilyn’s and Treasures of Marilyn’s event centers.

When Ed moved to coastal Louisiana he became an obsessive saltwater angler, loving inland, offshore and blue water fishing. He was a three-time president of SWLA Fishing Club, an early supporter of GCCA and a lifetime member of IGFA. Ed is believed to have owned 11 boats, became a USCG Master Captain, and extensively fished the world, targeting everything from rainbow trout to redfish, red snapper to tuna, marlin and sailfish (or as they’re known in Latin America “Pez Vela”). Ed caught over 5 different species of billfish in his lifetime yet still got excited catching small schoolie specks under birds and a popping cork in Big Lake. He loved spending weekends and summers at the family’s Moss Lake camp.

As a young couple, the Dawdy's traversed the US multiple times and reared their children rooted in adventure. When not on a fishing expedition, the family spent time in a motorhome visiting beautiful cities, whitewater rafting, zip-lining, horseback riding, snow skiing, or touring cultural and historic sites. Usually taking the scenic route. After the kids were grown, Ed and Marilyn continued to travel the world frequently, often with their multiple close friends.

Ed loved Mardi Gras. He and Marilyn, were very involved with several Mardi Gras Krewes, mainly Krewe de la Famille. They were King and Queen Famille XXII in 2001 and received the President’s Award in 2019.

In his prime, Ed was an imposing figure, standing well over 6 foot tall, barrel-chested and broad-shouldered, with dark hair and light blue eyes. Beyond the large stature and thunderous voice was a true gentle giant with a booming laugh and great sense of humor.

After years of being involved with this area’s Catholic community, Ed chose to formally convert to Catholicism in 2012. Ed spent his life nurturing numerous decades’ long friendships. His loyalty to the friends he loved was unwavering. Above all else, Ed’s greatest source of pride was his family. Until the very end, he could be found joyfully seeing to their needs. Fishing and boat maintenance with his son, hanging Christmas lights with daughter Beth or watching LSU sports with daughter Melanie and her Denham Springs family. And, of course accompanying wife, Marilyn with her various escapades; gladly matching her tremendous energy. He lived to make treasured memories with his grandchildren, always carving time for them and their day-to-day happenings.

Above all else, Ed will be remembered for his steadfast morality. He was a faithful servant of God, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, respected educator, successful businessman, mentor, teacher, fisherman and close friend. Ed touched countless lives throughout his journey.

Ed's last words to Marilyn were, "I will love you forever."

Ed is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marilyn Vallee Dawdy of Sulphur. Daughter, Beth Dawdy of Lake Charles; Daughter and Son-In-Law, Melanie and Kenny Rutecki of Denham Springs, La.; Daughter-In-Law and Son, Dana and Russell Dawdy of Sulphur; Grandchildren Tabitha Dawdy, Hunter Dawdy, Andy Rutecki, and Molly Rutecki; Beloved Nieces and Nephews whom were extremely close as well as cherished in-laws and multiple dear friends. He is also greatly missed by his lapdog Lucky. He is preceded in death by his parents Jody and Thelma Dawdy; Brother Wayne Dawdy; and his in-laws, Marion and Vida Vallee.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6, in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Rev. Timothy Goodly will officiate. Burial will be in Mimosa Pines Cemetery South in Carlyss under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 3-8 p.m. with a rosary service at 7 p.m. Pallbearers will be Kenny Rutecki, Andy Rutecki, Hunter Dawdy, Tyler Jackson, Jacques Broussard, Jenna Church, and Scott Flenniken. The family asks that memorial donations be made to The Louisiana Baptist Children's Home in Monroe (www.lbch.org). Words of comfort and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.