Vincent Bullara

Opelousas - Funeral services will be held for Mr. Vincent Ellis Bullara, age 65, at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, in the Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Bellevue Memorial Park Cemetery in Opelousas, LA. Reverend Perry Hubbs of the First Baptist Church of Opelousas will officiate the services.

Vincent was a native and longtime resident of Opelousas. He went to be with his Savior on Sunday, May 17, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. He passed away peacefully at his home with his wife of 44 years, Mary Beth, and his son, Vinnie, by his side.

Vincent was born on August 23, 1949 in Opelousas to the late James and Hazel Courville Bullara. He graduated from Opelousas High School in 1968 and attended Commonwealth College of Mortuary Sciences in Houston, TX where he received his Mortuary Science Degree. He then went on to LSU Dental School in New Orleans, LA where he received a degree in Dental Technology. On November 21, 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Elizabeth Young. On April 25, 1973 their only child, Vinnie was born.

Vincent owned and operated Bullara Dental Lab in Opelousas from 1981 to June 2011, when he was diagnosed with renal cancer. Although this forced him to retire from the dental industry, he began the new job of picking up his grandchildren Tucker, Brock and Presley from school every day. This proved to be an adventurous job of Sonic milkshakes, Dairy Queen ice cream cones, and being a student for his teacher, Presley, as they played school each afternoon. He was lovingly known as �½PAPA�½ to his grandchildren.

The passage of Scripture from James 2:14-26 is how Vincent lived his life; he was kind, compassionate, and a defender of the weak. He lived a life of service to others and put others before himself. Vincent enjoyed shooting pool, golfing, playing bouree, riding Harley Davidsons, and building memories with his family. He was a lifetime member of the NRA, a member of the Indian Hills Country Club, and a member of the Opelousas ELKS Lodge #1048.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Beth, his son, Vinnie, daughter-in-law, Cammie Inhern Bullara and his grandchildren, Tucker, Brock, and Presley. He is also survived by his brothers, Jimmy Bullara (wife Patsy Schwartzenburg Bullara), Tommy Bullara (wife Anita Matt Bullara) and Dean Bullara (wife Leanne Young Bullara) and his sisters, Vernita Richard Ducharme (husband Jerry Ducharme), Rebecca Bullara, Stella Bullara Lirette (husband Kirk Lirette), Donna Bullara Dupre (husband Phil Dupre) and Lisa Bullara Whipp (husband Troy Whipp). Other survivors are Jim and Lorraine Williams (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mike and Jeannie Dupre (brother-in-law and sister-in-law) and numerous nephews and nieces.

Vincent was preceded in death by his parents, James and Hazel Bullara; his grandparents, Paul and Stella Bullara and Aluce and Honora Courville; and infant brother, Michael Wayne Bullara and his in-laws, Edward and Jeanette Young.

The family would like extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Paul Corn, Dr. Paul Brown, Dr. Robert Satcher and Dr. Surena Matin of MD Anderson Cancer Center of Houston, TX for the excellent professional care that was provided to Vincent over the past 4 years, and also to Dr. Randy Daigle of the Sunset Medical Clinic for always being on call for Vincent. The family would also like to extend gratitude to Harbor Hospice and Vincent�½s nurses, Tiffany and Megan, his CNA, Naomi and his sitter/caregiver Grace Barnes for the compassionate care given to him for the past 2 months.

Visitation will be held at the LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas on Monday, May 18, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. The Elks Service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2015.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Bullara, Dean Bullara, Vinnie Bullara, Tucker Bullara, Brock Bullara and Jim Williams.

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
Monday, May 18, 2015
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Service

Elks Service

LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home Chapel
2845 South Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Monday, May 18, 2015
5:30 p.m.

Funeral Service

LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home Chapel
2845 South Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
11:00 a.m.

Cemetery

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