Eugene Richard Darbonne

Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Richard Darbonne, U.S. Army Retired, passed away on Thursday, May 11, 2017 from the long-term effects of Parkinson's disease.

Gene was born on May 13, 1931 on Little Teche in Port Barre, La. He graduated from Opelousas High School in 1947 and from Louisiana State University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Education. While at LSU, he entered ROTC training and upon graduation was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Eugene married Lenora Frances Fontenot on July 8th, 1956 and their first assignment together was to Schweinfurt, Germany. He served tours in Fort Benning, Georgia; Korea, France, Germany, and Vietnam along with numerous schools and short courses. He earned his Master of Agriculture degree in 1966 during what the Army considered a hardship tour back to LSU as an ROTC instructor. After his 20-year Army career, Gene and Lenora returned to Opelousas with their five children. He attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana on the GI Bill, earning an Education Specialist Degree with which he taught math and science at Lawtell High School for 18 years. After his second retirement, he spent his time traveling with Lenora, hunting, fishing, and attending Pilates and water aerobics classes. He was a faithful member of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church and began each day with a simple, "Good morning, Lord."

He is survived by his wife, Lenora, his five children and their spouses - LtCol Lisa Rackley, USAF Retired, and husband, LtCol Greg Rackley, USAF Retired; Dr. Stephen Darbonne and wife Alexis, Alison Brumley and husband Ron, Laurie Mallory and husband LtCol Dean Mallory, USAF Retired; Jeanne Foster and husband Ray, 24 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, brother Paul Creighton Darbonne, sisters-in-law Corinne Pitre and Lorraine (Gary) Landry, brother-in-law Cary (Gwen) Fontenot, and numerous beloved nephews, nieces, extended family, and friends. Eugene was preceded in death by his parents Elenora Richard and Wilfred Darbonne, his sister and brother-in-law Willie Mae and James C. Cole, brothers Herman and Clement Noah Darbonne, and Mauril and Hilliard Carriere.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Ashley Berard, Gerard Charles and Amelia Manor Nursing Home for their tender care of Eugene over the past several years, as well as to the caregivers who supported him in his final days.

Visitation is planned for Friday, May 12, 2017 at LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. with a rosary at 6:00 pm, and then from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas. Monsignor Keith DeRouen will celebrate the Mass with Rite of Committal at Bellevue Memorial Park Cemetery.

For those who wish to support a cause dear to Eugene's heart, please consider a donation to the USO, online at https://www.uso.org/donate/next/?sc=WW14IMOIHO or by check made payable to the "USO", mailed to USO Department WS, PO Box 96860 Washington, DC 20090-6860.

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.

LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570, (337-942-2638) has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Visitation

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas
2845 South Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, May 12, 2017
4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Re-Open

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas
2845 South Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Saturday, May 13, 2017
10:00 a.m. until time of service

Service

Rosary Service

LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home Chapel
2845 South Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, May 12, 2017
6:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial

Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church
2125 South Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Saturday, May 13, 2017
1:30 p.m.

Cemetery

Bellevue Memorial Park Cemetery
4833 Hwy. 182 South
Opelousas, LA  70570

Memorial Contributions

USO Department WS
P. O. Box 96860
Washington, DC  20090