Roland Paul Doucet

Lafayette " A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Roland Paul Doucet, 74 will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, January 25, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Benefield and Fr. Gearhart officiating. Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Lafayette on Thursday, January 24, 2008 beginning at 12:00PM until 8:00PM with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00PM. Visitation will resume on Friday, January 25, 2008 from 8:00AM until the time of the services.

Mr. Doucet, a native of Wright and a resident of Lafayette died at 5:31PM on Tuesday, January 22, 2008, at his residence.

Roland Doucet was a farmer, agri-businessman and family man, that forever helped shape the Lafayette community. A native of Vermillion Parish, Roland first moved to Lafayette in 1957 with his family to farm an allotment on the Saloom and Boustany family properties, which is now Ambassador Parkway. His farming operation grew to harvest over 2,200 acres of farmland around Acadiana. He established a grain elevator in Acadiana and an export facility on the Port of the Vermillion with the focus of enhancing the productivity of local farmers. He believed in the noble and worthy occupation of the American farmer and invested most of his time and labors to aid farmers throughout South Louisiana and promote agriculture throughout the state. He further aided in the development of Lafayette by giving of his time, talents and resources to help establish St. Pius Catholic Church and Park, Picard Park in Milton, St. Thomas More Catholic High School, and Comeaux High School. The many pine trees that now line the Ambassador Caffrey Parkway, called New Flanders road at the time, were planted by Roland himself. As a young farmer, he also worked as a bridge tender of the original draw bridge that crossed the Vermillion River on Ambassador Caffery Parkway. He was consulted by Governor McKeithen to determine the actual location of this roadway which would later become one of the busiest roadways in Lafayette. He was a man of many passionshe loved his family, his dog, horticulture, meeting people and sharing stories of the past. His wisdom was a gift that he humbly shared with all those willing to listen. In turn, he listened and took great interest in what everyone around him had to say. He had a unique way of offering love and acceptance to every person he met. His gentleness and compassion will live on through his children and grandchildren and will be sadly missed by all.

Survivors include his 6 children, Trudy and her husband Bill Blanchard of Broussard LA, Dale and his wife Ginger Doucet of Milton LA, Andrea and Garry Brodhead of Lafayette LA, Jodie and Eddie Gerard of Milton LA, Damon Doucet of Lafayette LA, Deidre and Chad Toups of Lafayette LA; his brother Deluse Doucet Jr. of Maurice LA; sixteen grandchildren, Jared ,Jason and Will Blanchard, Marguerite Doucet Blanchard, Marc and August Doucet, Ashley Brodhead Richard, Blair and Beau Brodhead, Landon and Trae Fitzgerald, Dylan Gerard, Angelle Doucet, Taylor Touchet, Macy and Bailey Toups; as well as six great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Mildred Simon Doucet; his parents, Deluse and Mae Marceaux Doucet; three sisters Sadie Lormand, Audrey Guidry and Ouida Mae Broussard.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Jared, Jason and Will Blanchard, Landon and Trae Fitzgerald, Taylor Touchet, Marc and August Doucet, Dylan Gerard and Beau Brodhead. The family would like to thank Dr. Ricardo Leoni, Sr.

David Funeral Home of Lafayette at 316 Youngsville Hwy (337) 837-9887 will be handling arrangements.