Verne Fletcher, Jr.

Verne Kelly Fletcher, Jr., age 78, of Lawtell, LA went to be with our Lord after passing away peacefully at his residence on April 10th, 2016. He will be forever loved, remembered, and missed by all who knew him.

Verne was born on December 22, 1938, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Verne K. Fletcher, Sr. and Neva Hamilton. He graduated high school from the Acadian Baptist Academy in 1956 and the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1961. He married Joycelyn Young in 1959 and they resided in St. Landry Parish together for 57 years. Verne began his career as a high school teacher but had a passion for flying. In the early 1970's, he became a certified Aerospace Education Instructor, Flight Instructor and Commercial Pilot, and in 1974, he helped launch the first high school Aviation Science Program in the state of Louisiana. In 1978, he pursued a full time flying career flying corporate aircraft for local oil companies and later founded an oil field equipment rental business and oil production company which he owned and operated through the late 1980's. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Opelousas where he served as a deacon and Sunday School Teacher.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Fletcher; daughter, Karen Chambliss and her husband, Steve, of Aiken, South Carolina; daughter Rhonda Fletcher Laster and her husband Will of Holdenville, Oklahoma; and son, Verne K. (Kenny) Fletcher, III and his wife Stacey of Katy, Texas. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren Jared Chambliss and his wife Aimee; Erica Chambliss; Breyanna Harriman and her husband Eric; Brennan Gordon; and Ashley and Kelly Fletcher and great-granddaughter Evangeline Chambliss.

Honoring Verne as pallbearers are Charlton Fort, Steve Chambliss, Will Laster, Jared Chambliss, Brennan Gordon, and Eric Harriman. Honorary pallbearers are Carey Brinkman, Zack Young and Jack Tolson.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Opelousas. 3838 I-49 S Service Rd, Opelousas, LA 70570.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Opelousas. Officiating will be Dr. Perry C. Hubbs.

Visitation will be at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home at 2845 South Union Street in Opelousas from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 and from 8:00 a.m. until service time on Thursday, April 14, 2016.

Visitation

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas
2845 South Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas
2845 South Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Thursday, April 14, 2016
8:00 a.m. until time of service

Service

First Baptist Church of Opelousas
3835 I-49 South Service Road
Opelousas, LA  70570
Thursday, April 14, 2016
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Cemetery
1138 Academy Rd.
Eunice, LA  70535