Edward Dwight LaFleur

“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings.” Edward Dwight LaFleur passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at his home in Ville Platte on Monday, December 14, 2015. He was 85 years old.
Mr. LaFleur was a lifelong resident of Ville Platte who will be remembered by many people as the guy who fit men and boys with shoes, Scout uniforms, sport coats at G. Ardoin and Co. He attended Louisiana State University, then served as a U.S. Air Force pilot during the Korean War era. His passion for flying continued for many years afterward. He often said that being a pilot was the one skill that he had ever been formally trained for. He loved LSU football, horse races, travel, and most of all the company of family and friends. On Sundays, folks regularly dropped in for coffee at the LaFleur home on the way to Mass and stopped by for highballs on the way back. Dwight was a devoted husband, a gentle, wise and indulgent father, and a doting grandfather. He taught his children to vote, to buy local, to play fair, and to remember that even the guy making the annoying sales call was trying to make an honest living. He was kind and funny and as interesting as he was interested in the world. In a final act of generosity, he left his body to the LSU Medical School.
During his life, Mr. LaFleur was an active breeder and owner of racing thoroughbreds. In addition, he was involved in several businesses in which he was a partner or board member: Evangeline Securities, Inc.; G. Ardoin & Co., Inc.; The American Finance Company, Inc.; Preferred Living, Inc.; The Federal Savings Bank, Inc.; Maison De Santé, Inc.; St. Landry Ventures, LLC; and Nursing Home of Eunice, LLC.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 57 years, Florence Brown LaFleur; his children and their spouses, Amanda and Steve Giambrone of Lafayette, Ward and Melanie LaFleur of Lafayette, Sammy and Liz LaFleur of Ville Platte, Eric and Julie LaFleur of Ville Platte, and Heidi and Tim McAlice of Holden, MA; his grandchildren, Robby, Layton, Andy, Carson, Cole, Reagan, Atticus, Amélie and Alistair LaFleur, André and Ariana Giambrone and Evan, Connor and Payton McAlice; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Linus Burke “Doux” LaFleur and Lydie Dardeau LaFleur; his sisters and their spouses, Valerie and Yves “Duffy” Soileau, Carmen and Jack Frugé and Claudia and Bill Hamilton; as well as his nephews, Chris Frugé, Jack Frugé Jr. and Douglas “Smokey” Deville.
The LaFleur family would like to thank Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care for their wonderful advice and care during his end-of-life journey. They would also like to thank his caregivers, Rameika Franklin and Allegra John, for their gentle and patient attention to his everyday needs.
Those desiring to honor his memory are encouraged to donate to the ALS Association, the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, the Diabetic Youth Foundation or the charity of their choice. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 30, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the home of Eric and Julie LaFleur in Ville Platte.