Gene Callahan

Gene Joseph Callahan, 78, a native of Theriot and life long resident of Houma, died at 2:32 am, May 24, 2016. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at Chauvin Funeral Home in Houma and on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Holy Family Church in Grand Calliou from 9:00 am to funeral time.  Mass will be held at 11:00 am at the church, with burial in the Holy Family Cemetery immediately following mass. He is survived by his loving wife, Mona LeBeouf Callahan; five daughters, Edwina (Norman) Naquin of Houma, Mona (Ronnie) Lirette of Berwick, Debora McIngvale of Houma, Kim (Darryl) Fanguy of Houma and Karen (Michelle) Callahan of Charleston, SC; two step-daughters, Missy (Randy) Lajaunie of Houma and Lisa (Murphy) Parfait of Dulac; one brother Roger Dale (Gerry) Callahan of Houma; two half-brothers, Mark (Arlene) Callahan of Chauvin and Jerry Callahan of Houma; five sisters, Geraldine “Gerrie” LeCompte, Charlene (Max) Guidry, Mary Linda (Ronnie) Picou, Brenda (Derrill) Riche, all of Houma; Mary Susan Callahan of Tomball, TX; one half-sister, Mary Beth (Matthew) Singletary of Gray; step-mother, Elaine Callahan of Houma; mother of his five daughters, Beverly Boudreaux Gautreaux; four grandsons, Derrick (Tina) Naquin of Zachary, Dexter Naquin of Houma, Aaron (Shawna) Bokenkamp of Lafayette and Christopher (Erica) Fanguy of Houma; one granddaughter, Brittany (Dee) Alexander of Katy, TX; 7 great-grandchildren & 1 due in November; two step-grandsons, Shane Parfait of Dulac and Zachary Lajaunie of Houma; six step-granddaughters, Roslyn (Wilbert) Dean of Dulac, April (Corey) Babin, Kelcy (Donald) Sapia, Randi Lajaunie, Katie Lirette and Kristen (Fredrick) Thibodaux all of Houma; 11 step great-grandchildren and 1 step great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Mae Voisin Hornsby and step-father, Nolton Hornsby, Sr.; his father, Michel Callahan; one brother, Michael Callahan; one step-brother, Nolton Hornsby, Jr.; brother-in-law, Felix LeCompte, Jr.; sister-in-law, Carla Abadie Callahan; son-in-laws, Terry LeCompte and George McIngvale, Jr., maternal grandparents, Aubin Voisin and Lena Dupre Voisin; paternal grandparents, Evans Callahan and Felecie Dumond Callahan. Gene was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and a great friend to many.  He touched many lives for over sixty years with his love of song writing, playing numerous instruments and singing country and Cajun music in both English and French.  When asked to sit in with a band he could play a song he had never heard if you just told him the key.  It all began with a guitar his mother bought for him as a teenager.  From there he taught himself how to play the fiddle, accordion, banjo, keyboard and most importantly the steel guitar for which he was most well known for by musicians near and far.   Throughout the years he played in many bands and at numerous recording studios, nightclubs, concerts, weddings, festivals, Mardi Gras events, private events and fundraising benefits.  For over 17 years he played at Bayou Delight Restaurant where locals, family, friends and foreigners would enjoy dinner and dancing Cajun style.  He loved telling stories of the wonderful friends he made and the people from all over the world he meant while playing there.  He loved spending time with his wife, family & friends either working around the house & yard, sitting on the front porch, fishing, boiling crawfish, visiting, laughing, telling jokes, holiday events and eating.  He was a parishioner of Holy Family Church and a huge Saints and LSU fan. The family would like to thank Dr. Marc Matrana, Lorrie, Melanie & the Chemo nurses & staff at Ochsner Cancer Center in New Orleans for the amazing kindness and care he received and for always making him feel so special.  To the doctors and nurses at Chabert’s for their efforts & compassion shown in his last moments of life.  Also, to the friends and family who brought him so much joy during his lifetime and especially in the last four months. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to assist with the funeral expenses & interment. Chauvin Funeral Home, Inc., is honored to serve the Callahan family.