Dr. Ernest Eugene "Gene" Padgett Jr., M.D.

1931 - 2018

Catholic Services will be held on Monday, July 9, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. in Martin & Castille's La Fleur de Lis Chapel in Lafayette, for Ernest Eugene "Gene" Padgett, Jr., M.D., 86, who passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, July 5, 2018, at St. Joseph-Carpenter House in Lafayette after a brief illness. Reverend Howard Blessing, Pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lafayette, will officiate and will be assisted by Deacon Robert Klingman. Interment will be in Bellevue Memorial Park Cemetery in Opelousas. Survivors include four sons, Charles E. Padgett, MD, and his wife Liz, Phil G. Padgett, MD, and his wife Monica, David M. Padgett, and Ernest E. Padgett III and his wife Leah; twelve grandchildren, Sally Padgett Bourque and husband Kyle, Reneé Padgett Prevost and husband Blake, Stephen Padgett, MD, and wife Katherine, Rebecca Padgett Fontenot and husband Greg Fontenot, MD, Discalced Carmelite Nun, Sister Marie Louise (Sarah Padgett), Charlie Padgett Jr., Nicholas Padgett, Emily Padgett, Zachary Padgett, Anna Catherine Padgett, Jessep Padgett and Samuel Padgett; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters, Carol Ardoin and husband Douglas, and Pat Ware (wife of the late Bradford "Bumpy" Ware); and his brother, Ronald Padgett, MD, and his wife Anne. Dr. Padgett was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Eugene Padgett Sr. and Irma Castille Padgett; his beloved wife of 61 years, Sally Bergeron Padgett, who passed away June 29, 2017; and his grandson, Jackson Padgett. The son of Ernest Eugene Padgett Sr. and Irma Castille Padgett, Gene was born on September 23, 1931, in Opelousas, Louisiana. He attended Opelousas High School and then Southwest Louisiana Institute in Lafayette. He completed his education at the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was a member of the LSUMC graduating class of 1955. In 1956, Gene married the love of his life, Sally Bergeron of Napoleonville. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force, and moved along with Sally to Las Vegas where he was stationed for two years at Nellis Air Force Base. After his tenure in the Air Force, Gene returned to New Orleans and completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology under the tutelage of Dr. Abe Mickal. He and Sally then relocated to Opelousas where he not only practiced medicine for nearly 50 years, recently retiring in 2010, but also started and raised his family. One of Gene's greatest joys was spending time with his family, especially at his camp in Pecan Island. He loved offshore fishing on his boat, The HardTimes. His first mate was most often Mr. Coonie Broussard of Pecan Island. As a youngster, Gene had a passion for model airplanes and in later years obtained his pilot's license and enjoyed many years of flying; especially with his flight instructor and good friend, Byron Launey. Finally, some of Gene's happiest moments were surrounded by family on their yearly summer vacation to the Florida beaches. Typical of his generation, Gene worked hard, played hard and prayed hard. He had a fierce love of family. From the mountain tops of Aspen, Colorado, to the rigs of the Gulf of Mexico, Gene was a good and worthy servant. Amen. Our Father in Heaven blessed Gene with a full, rich life and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Pallbearers will be Jessep Padgett, Zach Padgett, Nick Padgett, Stephen Padgett, Charlie Padgett and Neil Padgett. The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille's SOUTHSIDE location on Sunday, July 8, from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. and will continue on Monday, July 9, from 8:00 A.M. until time of service. A Rosary will be prayed by Deacon Sammy Diesi at 6:30 P.M. on Sunday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made in Ernest Eugene Padgett Jr., M.D.'s name to the Carpenter House, 923 W Pinhook Rd, Lafayette, LA 70503. A heartfelt appreciation is extended by the Padgett family to the nurses and physicians of LGMC, especially Dr. Bradley Chastant Jr. and Dr. Patrick Harrington. Also to Dr. Padgett's caregivers for the past year, Becky Etienne, Lena Hill, and Kathy Acosta, and to his home health nurse, Annie Reeves, for the compassionate care and support they gave. View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com. Martin & Castille-SOUTHSIDE-600 E. Farrel Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508, 337-984-2811.