Louis Joseph “LJ” Deculus

September 2, 1941 - December 30, 2015
MAMOU - Funeral services were held for Louis Joseph “LJ” Deculus, 74, of Mamou, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Mamou at 10 a.m., Monday, January 4. Burial followed in the New St. Ann’s Mausoleum.
Mr. Deculus died Wednesday, December 30, 2015. L.J. loved God, his family and his country. He was a son, brother, husband, dad, parain, pawpaw, uncle, cousin and friend who will missed by everyone he touched. L.J. was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and as a Third Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council #2675. He worked tirelessly for his church and council. After graduating as valedictorian from Joseph Celestine High School in Mamou, he joined the United States Army and proudly served his country. He is recognized as a Veteran of Foreign Wars and was a member of the American Legion Council #123. A farmer by trade, he returned to Mamou to marry his sweetheart, Mary Dianne Espree of Houston, Texas, and to assist in the growth of his family’s farm. He worked with his father and brothers to build the Deculus Brothers’ Farm. He was recognized for his commitment to farming and his community when he was appointed to serve on the Louisiana State Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency from 1974 to 1990. He retired from farming in 1986, but continued to do the thing he loved most, work. He became a crawfish farmer for several years and upon retiring from crawfish farming, he accepted a position with the Evangeline Parish Police Jury as a heavy equipment operator and transporter, where he worked until 2011. He and Dianne were settling into retirement with many projects for the grandchildren. In addition to being dedicated to his community and country, L.J. was a loving husband, father, brother and grandfather.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Dianne E. Deculus of Mamou; one son, Louis Deculus Jr. and his wife, Ramona Fruge Deculus, of Houston, Texas; four daughters, Donna Deculus of San Antonio, Texas, Jennifer Deculus Johnson and her husband, Kevin, of Spring, Texas, Jessica Deculus of Pearland, Texas, and Deidre Deculus Robert and her husband, James Jr., of Glynn; three brothers, Elie Deculus and Howard Deculus, both of Mamou, and Herman Deculus of Brusly; and one sister, Marjis Deculus Allen of Mamou. Also left behind to cherish his memory are his 11 grandchildren, Blake Semien, Gabrielle, Maeghan and Breanna Deculus, Frank Broussard, Nalani, Maya, Kevin Jr., and Aaron Johnson and James III and Jude Michael Robert.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ashton Sr. and Ester Deculus; three brothers, Ashton Deculus Jr., Horace Deculus and Antonia Deculus; and two sisters, Edna Deculus LaChapelle and Hazel Deculus Espree.
Father Alphonse Thainese officiated.
Family and friends may view the online obituary and/or sign the guestbook at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.
Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Mamou was in charge of arrangements.