Melvin Patrick Dugas

Melvin Patrick Dugas, 83, of Sulphur, passed into eternal life on Tuesday, February 12, at his home following a lengthy illness. Mr. Dugas was a welder/pipefitter for Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 106 until his retirement in 1984. He graduated from Sulphur High School in 1945 and McNeese State Junior College in 1947. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a member of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church in Carlyss where he was as an usher. He was a member of and treasurer for the Louisiana Santa Gertrudis Association and owned and operated Melvin's Feed Store in Carlyss. He was a lifelong cattleman, horseman, and avid calf roper. His insistence upon fair play and finely honed sense of humor will be missed by many. Born in Lake Charles on August 10, 1929, Mr. Dugas lived in Carlyss/Sulphur all his life. He was predeceased by his parents, Avis and Evelyn Sallier Dugas, both members of pioneer families in the area, two sisters: Norma Jean and Gwendolyn Dugas, and a brother Clifford Dugas. Mr. Dugas is survived by his, wife of 62 years Alzina "Snooks" Strahan Dugas, four daughters: Suzanne (Robert) Little of Ponchatoula; Sallye (Hubert) Coco and Shirley (Tony) Leger of Sulphur; Shari (Jeff) Richard of Grand Chenier; two sons: Scott (Stephanie Hebert) Dugas and Sam (Vickie Fontenot) Dugas of Sulphur, 21 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Jonathon, James, and Joseph Little, Alan, Patrick, and Steven Coco, Kohl and Kellen Leger, Brett Richard, and Benjamin Kickel. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters: Jeri Little Carroll, Jessica Little Perez, Elizabeth Coco Rector, Christina Coco, Keagen Leger Phipps, Kara Leger, Bailey, Becka, Briley Richard, and Morgan Dugas. The family wishes to especially thank Karen Ellender Nickles, Kelli Jo Connor, Heart of Hospice, Fathers Joe Aquino and Ernie Corriveau, family, friends, neighbors, and members of St. Theresa Catholic Church for all of the many acts of kindness and support shown to them during Mr. Dugas's time of illness. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Robison Funeral Home in Sulphur. Visiting hours are from 3-to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, with a rosary at 6:00 p.m. and will resume at Thursday at 8 a.ma until time of service. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church on Carlyss Drive at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, with Father Joe Aquino presiding. It will be followed by interment at Mimosa Pines Cemetery in Carlyss. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Our Lady's School in Sulphur, St. Theresa Catholic Church in Carlyss, or Care Help in Sulphur.