Marcus Jerome Denais

1940 - 2021

It is with deep sadness that Lafayette and the Acadiana area are mourning the loss of one of its Acadiana natives, Marcus Jerome Denais, who made major contributions to our city, State and its institutions. Marcus was born January 23, 1940. He passed away peacefully on January 31, 2021. Marc was born in Youngsville, Louisiana to Raphael "Chief" Denais and Gladys Guilliot Denais. He was a resident of Youngsville during his early formative years. He devoted his life, talent, knowledge, and leadership abilities to the development of the Acadiana area, the promotion and preservation of the Acadian people, their language and culture. Marc provided an important role in the establishment, development and usage of the Acadian lifestyle in the Youngsville and Lafayette community. Marc, the 1958 class President, was a hard working devoted student and graduate of Youngsville High School. After graduation he joined the Louisiana National Guard, trained at Fort Smith, Arkansas and returned to serve eight years with the Acadiana-Lafayette National Guard Unit Peace Keeping Force. The National Guard provided emergency assistance to all Louisiana citizens. Marc, as a classroom teacher, became interested in developing a career as a school principal like his father. While serving in the National Guard he attended the University of Southern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana and graduated in 1963 from USL with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. During the summer months he earned a master's Degree in administration from Sam Houston University. While serving as a classroom educator at N. P. Moss Elementary School he returned to USL and LSU to earn a Reading Specialist degree. With the desire to become a principal he began an unparalleled, lifelong career to become an outstanding educated administrator. Marc served as a teacher and principal for 38 years in the Lafayette Parish School System. From 1976 to 1983 he taught Industrial Arts Technology at N. P. Moss Elementary School. Using his education and knowledge of industrial technology he earned State and national recognition as an educator. He was promoted as Assistant Principal at Plantation Elementary School where he created programs that were instrumental in creating honors and profession recognition for the school. This success helped him to be promoted to the position of Principal at Myrtle Place Elementary School in 1983. Due to his outstanding success at Myrtle Place Elementary School and national professional recognition he was promoted as a Principal to Plantation Elementary School in 1986. He was honored in 1993-94 with the Principal of the Year Award. Marc retired in 1999 after enjoying a very successful teaching career with honors. His success and professional accomplishments were recognized by USL, LSU and colleges. He was hired at USL by the higher education department to teach courses in USL's College of Education. He earned a promotion, to the Principal and supervisor of the Student Teaching. He implemented several Education Field Experiences Program for Plantation Elementary School and the University of Southern Louisiana. Due to his efforts to promote and preserve the reading programs at all the university and State levels he became interested in creating programs to motivate and preserve reading strategies. He started and participated in the development of a special reading program. He served ten years as a member of the USL Acadiana Reading Council. In addition to his contributions as a teacher and an administrator, he broadened his dynamic role in education by writing five Louisiana State Department of Education Curriculum Guides, which are still used at Louisiana State University. To continue the success and promotion of this program he volunteered to serve on the SACS visiting committees in Lafayette Parish and the other parishes around the State. He was an innovative educator and served as an active member of the Louisiana Association of Principals, Lafayette Parish Principal's Association, the Acadiana Principal's Association, the Louisiana Association of School Executives, Lafayette Parish Teacher's Association. Marc continued to encourage educators to use and implement various programs to bring beneficial technology to the educational system of Louisiana. He was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Lafayette School's Federal Credit now Meritus Credit Union. He enjoyed being an active member of the Lions Club, serving as president for two years, member of Phi Delta Kappa, founding member of "The Tramps", a professional band which was inducted in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He enjoyed being a member of the Board of the Directors of the Festival of Beauties and Louisiana' Scholarship Festival. Marc earned numerous awards for his many celebrated accomplishments. He modeled Christian and family values in his schools and communities with appreciation of his staff and school community. Born and raised as a devoted Roman Catholic Marc became a devoted member of the Cathederal of St. John the Evangelist. He often shared his Catholic values and commitment to God as a devoted husband to his wife for 48 years, his children, friends, and neighbors. He loved being a loving father, grandfather, special friend and a supportive neighbor to everyone. Marc was known by many names. To his colleagues he was known as "Marc", to his friends he was known as "Tim" but most knew him as "T-Marc". He enjoyed cooking and was an outstanding Cajun culinary artist. He loved dancing, music, playing the saxophone and was often called the "Saxy Hobo". His rendition of the song "Peanut Butter" was repeatedly requested and enjoyed by all. Marc loved spending quality time with his wife, Dot, the love of his life, his family and childhood friends. Marc was an above average sportsman who loved the outdoors and playing golf. Marc is survived by his wife Dorothy McGlothlin Denais. He leaves two daughters. His daughter Billye Denais Castille, her husband Michael Castille and their son Cory Michael Castille and his oldest daughter Tracey Denais Landry, her husband Keith Landry, grandchildren Christopher Geoffroy, his wife Kristen, Garrott Geoffroy, Hillory Geoffroy Percle, her husband Darion Percle and their daughter Riley Percle. Marc is preceded in death by his parents Raphael "Chief" Denais and Gladys Guilliot Denais, his daughter Lisa K. Denais, his brother Lucas S. Denais, and nephew Stacey M. Denais. Marc was a humanitarian who had a special heart of love which will be forever missed and remembered by his family, friends and all whose lives he has touched. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 5, 2021 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lafayette, for Marcus Jerome Denais, 81, who passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center. A Rosary will be prayed at 8:30 AM before the 10:00 AM Mass. Entombment will be in St. John Cemetery Mausoleum. The Very Reverend Chester C. Arceneaux, VF, Rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, will serve as Celebrant of the Mass and conduct the funeral services. Lectors for the Mass will be Kacey M. Solar and Cory M. Castille. Mr. Michael J. Castille and Mrs. Billye D. Castille will serve as Giftbearers. Musicians, Sasha Massey, Vocalist, Tom Niel, Organist and Will Green, Trumpeter, will be performing for the Mass. For family members and friends who are unable to attend on February 5, 2021, at 10:00 AM, the service will be live-streamed to a Memorial Facebook Group dedicated to Marcus Jerome Denais. To join the group, click the link below and then "join group". The video will appear on this group at service time 10:00 AM. You may also share memories, pictures and condolences to the family in this group. Facebook link: www.facebook.com/groups/Marcusjeromedenais/ Pallbearers will be O. C. Guilliot, Gerald B. Landry, John C. Broussard, Donald Simon, Lawrence T. Dupre, Sr. and Anthony G. Vallot. Honorary Pallbearers will be Cory M. Castille, grandson, Michael J. Castille, son-in-law, Daniel LaPointe, special friend and the Teachers of Plantation Elementary School. The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille's Southside location on Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a Rosary prayed at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM in the Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Friday, February 5, 2021 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church from 8:00 AM until time of service at 10:00 AM, with a Rosary prayed at 8:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Mr. Marcus Denais' name to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Baby Memorial Fund. A heartfelt appreciation is extended by the Denais family to all family and friends who have supported and helped during this sorrowful time. View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com. Martin & Castille-Southside-600 E. Farrel Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508, 337-984-2811.