Gerald Crochet

Gerald Joseph Crochet, age 85, died peacefully Friday, July 5th, 2019.

Visitation will be observed at Chauvin Funeral Home, Houma, LA Thursday, July 11th, 2019 5:00pm - 8:00pm and on Friday, July 12th, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Lafayette, LA from 9:30am until Requiem Mass beginning 11:00am, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery.

Born in Grand Bayou in 1933, Gerald was one of 10 children growing up in a French-speaking Acadian family. In his youth, Gerald helped the family by working on the farm, selling vegetables, and poling pirogues for local fishermen. The family’s life was centered on the practice of their Catholic faith.

Eager to serve his country during the Korean War, in December of 1950 at the age of seventeen, he joined the United States Marine Corps, and served until December of 1953. During that time, he was awarded the Rifle Marksman Badge, Navy Occupation Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Ribbon. He was a lifelong patriot and staunch supporter of the United States Military.

After his honorable discharge, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from LSU. He was an innovative entrepreneur, an accomplished businessman, and a creative inventor holding three US patents. His business endeavors include CLM Equipment Company, Continuous Tubing Services, and Preeminent Energy Services.

Gerald had an incessant desire for learning. He studied health and wellness, technology, genealogy, and above all, his Faith. His enthusiasm to share what he learned was impossible to ignore; he wanted to fill others with the same wonder he found. Gerald’s brilliant mind was complicated and sometimes hard to understand, but his love and goodness were treasured by those closest to him.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Helen Dufrene Crochet of Raceland, LA, whom he married in 1997, and her children: Paige Dufrene Fillinich and husband Lane Fillinich of Cut Off, and Jared Joseph Dufrene of Foster, KY; her four grandchildren: Megan Fillinich Comeaux and husband Sean Comeaux of Cut Off, Lane Michael Fillinich of Cut Off, Camryn and Brynn Dufrene of Foster, KY.

He is survived by his five children: Anastasia Crochet Fournet of Savannah, GA, Kimberly Crochet LaFleur and her husband Theodore Joseph LaFleur of Lafayette, Connie Crochet Shook and her husband Thomas Eugene Shook, Jr. of Richardson, TX, Gerald Joseph Crochet, Jr. and his wife Linda Davis Crochet of Little Rock, AR, and Delmar Roman Crochet II and his wife Rickie Landry Crochet of Lafayette; and their mother, Marguerite Roy Crochet of Lafayette.

He is survived by his twenty grandchildren: Andrew Jedidiah Fournet and his wife Valerie of Savannah, GA, Dorothy Fournet Frost and her husband Dean of Chattanooga, TN, Elise Fournet Patin and her husband Kristopher of Lafayette, Margeaux LaFleur Gorman and her husband Theodore of Houston, TX, Captain Clelie LaFleur Hebert and her husband Joshua of San Antonio, TX, Dominique Louise LaFleur of Telluride, CO, Meredith Shook Bahena of Richardson, TX, Thomas Eugene Shook III of Jacksonville, AR, Elizabeth Ann Shook and Josephine Clare Shook of Richardson, TX, Gerald Joseph Crochet III, Cannon Joseph Crochet, Colette Renee Crochet, Jacques Thomas Crochet, Dominic Benoit Crochet, all of Little Rock, AR, Jonathon Hunter Crochet and his wife Lauren, Cullen Lee Crochet and his wife Sarah, Austin Reed Crochet, Julliane Taylor Crochet, and Katherine Nicole Crochet, all of Lafayette.

He is survived by his twenty great grandchildren: Lucas and Isabella Fournet of Savannah, GA, Allie-Grace Patin of Lafayette, Meara, Teddy, John, Sebastian, and Louis Gorman of Houston, TX, Zoe, Agnes, David, Roman, Jonah, and Therese Hebert of San Antonio, TX, Xavier and Gwen Bahena of Richardson, TX, Jon and Lily Crochet of Lafayette, Iris Crochet of Lafayette, and one little Crochet girl on the way.

He is survived by four sisters: Marian Faust, Elizabeth "Betty" Breland, Carolyn Aguillard, and Suzette Reed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Delmar Roman Crochet and Frances Rousseau Crochet; four sisters, Adele Rita Crochet, Wilma Richard, Vera Wallen, Pansy Voisin; his only brother, Alger "Jay" Crochet; and his grandson, Michael Gabriel Fournet.

Pallbearers will be Kristopher Patin, Joshua Hebert, Thomas Shook III, Cannon Crochet, Hunter Crochet, Cullen Crochet, and Gerald’s two sons Gerald Crochet, Jr. and Delmar Crochet II.

Chauvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the Crochet family.