Eddie "Pete" Joseph Pitre

Eddie “Pete” Joseph Pitre, 89, of Lake Charles, LA, died at 8:30 PM on Saturday, August 6, 2016 in his residence.

Mr. Pitre was born April 13, 1927 in Lacassine, LA, raised in Woodlawn, LA and has lived in Lake Charles since 1952.  He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict as a Corporal.  He worked as a farmer all of his life and proudly farmed rice in 3 parishes, Calcasieu, Beauregard and Allen.  He was the first black independent rice, soybean, and wheat farmer in Southwest Louisiana.  Mr. Pitre was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.  He was also a member of the VFW Post #7921, the American Legion, and was a lifetime member of Farm Bureau.  After retirement, he continued to grow and sell produce and was recognized numerous times in the Lake Charles media.  He also enjoyed fishing, rodeo, playing Zydeco music and the accordion.  Most of all, he loved spending time with people and his family; he will be missed by all who loved him.

Mr. Pitre is survived by his sons, Donald Ray Pitre and wife Nancy of Lake Charles and Martin Glenn Pitre and wife Lynette of Iowa, LA; daughters, Veronica Johnson and husband Milton of Lake Charles and Yolanda Badovinus-Ford and husband Dr. Steven Ford of Dallas, TX; sisters, Ida LaPaul and husband Eugene of Houston, TX and Evelynn Pete of Pacoima, CA; brother, Eugene Pitre, also of Pacoima, CA; grandchildren, Damon Pitre, Daphne Pitre, Donald Pitre Scott, G’Aneta Nance, Darren Pitre, Chardonia Scott, Jessica Scott, Martin Pitre, II, The Very Reverend Father Marcus Johnson, Tiffany Johnson, Nick Badovinus, Merritt Ford, Savannah Ford and Luke Ford; ten great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; special niece, Joann Cook, who cared for him throughout the years; and a host of others that he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Yola Edwards Pitre; brothers, Andrew Pete, Chester Pete, and Johnny Pete; sister, Margaret Pete; and grandchild, Kemah Martin Pitre.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.  The Very Reverend Father Marcus Johnson to be the celebrant.  Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Lake Charles.  Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Friday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a wake service at 7:00 PM.  Visitation will continue on Saturday at the funeral home from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM.

The family would like to express a special word of thanks to his loyal customers and Fred Davies of Davies Construction.