Merlin J. Leger

1941 - 2020

A Liturgy of the Word will be celebrated on Thursday, December 17, 2020, at 11:00 am at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette for Merlin J. Leger, 79, who passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette. Visitation will be observed on Wednesday, December 16th from 4:00 pm until 8:30 pm at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette and resumes at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home on Thursday morning, December 17th at 9:00 am until the time of service. Merlin's son Laine Leger will serve as Merlin's eulogist. Entombment will follow at a later date in Fountain Memorial Cemetery in Lafayette. Father Mario Romero, Pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lafayette, will officiate. Merlin Joseph Leger was born on July 28, 1941, in Sunset, LA and was a long-time resident of Acadiana. Raised in Mire, Merlin had a successful career in the retail grocery business and was a store manager for Winn Dixie for 26 years. After retirement, he was a school bus driver for 15 years with the Lafayette Parish School Board. Merlin was a parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lafayette. Merlin lived a full and rewarding life. He loved to laugh and have fun, and especially enjoyed to be surrounded by his family and friends. Merlin and his wife, Evette traveled across the United States and liked to share and make new friends along the way. Family meant everything to Merlin; he leaves a legacy of love and will be deeply missed. Merlin is survived by his beloved wife of 58½ years, Evette Anne Theriot Leger, of Lafayette; his five sons, Michael "Jody" Leger and his wife Virginia G. Leger, of Broussard, Mark "Shane" Leger and his wife Angie R. Leger, of Lafayette, Jaime Paul Leger and his wife Theresa O. Leger, of Slidell, David "Laine" Leger and his wife Angela C. Leger, also of Lafayette and Jared Joseph Leger and his fiancée Tammy Latiolais, of Carenco; one brother, Preston Leger and his wife Betty, of Scott; 15 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and numerous dear nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Olide Joseph Leger and Delphine Thibodeaux Leger; one brother, Austin Leger, Sr. and a daughter-in-law, Laura Jean Leger. The family expresses the following, "Merlin was greatly loved by many and our family appreciates that many may want to be near us to pay tribute. In these extraordinary times, please respect our distance and be considerate of both your health and ours." With regards to the most recent mandates of the current pandemic, masks and social distancing are required for gatherings in and outside the funeral home. Online obituary and guest book may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com. Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1010 Pandora St., 337-981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.