Thomas Schexnayder

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial in St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas LA, for Thomas Adam Schexnayder. Mr. Schexnayder, 84, passed away peacefully June 23, 2008 at 10:03 am, at his home surrounded by his family. Interment will be in Bellevue Memorial Park Cemetery.

The Reverend Monsignor Robert Romero, Pastor of St. Landry Catholic will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services.

Mr. Schexnayder was born on February 8, 1924 at Lauderdale Plantation in St. James Parish. In 1940 he entered Louisiana State University. In April of 1943, he entered military service as a Lieutenant and served in the 17th Airborne Division. He made several combat jumps in Europe and served in Operation Varsity the first Allied airborne invasion into Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star. After military service, he returned to LSU and graduated in Agriculture.

For many years he worked in the farm machinery business, and in 1978 formed his own company, Louisiana Farm Power. He was active in the Louisiana Farm Bureau, the Louisiana Cattlemans Association and the Deep South Equipment Dealers Association, serving as its President. He also farmed and had numerous real estate holdings in St. Landry Parish.

Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Janys Huntington, of Opelousas, his daughters Kathy Gauthier and her husband Steve of Sunset, Anne Hebert of Youngsville and son, Tom Schexnayder and his wife Jeanne of Richmond, VA; three grandchildren, Claire Owens and her husband John and great granddaughter, Grace, all of Alabaster, AL, Bryan Hebert and his wife Lindsey and Elli Hebert all of Lafayette. He is survived by three sisters, Imogene Berthelot of White Castle, Grace Gough of New Orleans and Mildred Orr of Salem, OR.

He is also survived by Denise DeBlanc of New Iberia, Dr. Hunt DeBlanc of Opelousas, and Donald DeBlanc of Tigard, OR.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Marilyn Halphen Schexnayder of Opelousas, his parents Camille and Grace Schexnayder of Donaldsonville, one brother, Edmond Schexnayder of Copperas Cove, TX, and three sisters: Jeanne LeBlanc of Donaldsonville, Camille Bartlett of West Peabody, MA and Barbara Hyde of Wheaton, IL.

Visiting hours will be observed in the Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas on Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will reopen on Wednesday from 8:00 am until time of service. A rosary will be held on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

Mr. Schexnayders family would like to extend their thanks to Dr. J.Y. Bordelon and his staff, to St. Landry Home Health and to Hospice of Acadiana for their professionalism and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice of Acadiana or to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.
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Visitation

Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home
2845 S. Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
3:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.

Service

Church

St. Landry Catholic Church
1020 North Main Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Bellevue Memorial ParkH
Sunset Highway
Opelousas, LA  70570