Dr. Seldon Deshotels Sr.

Dr. Seldon Joseph Deshotels, Sr.

OPELOUSAS - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Dr. Seldon Joseph Deshotels, Sr. MDFACS at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 22, 2013, in the St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, La. Reverend James Brady will celebrate the Mass. Rite of Committal will be held in the Bellevue Memorial Park Cemetery in Opelousas, La.

Dr. Deshotels, age 86, a resident of Opelousas, La., died on Thursday, December 19, 2013, at Magnolia Estates in Lafayette, La. Dr. Deshotels was born on the Mamou Prairie on February 21, 1927. He lived in Opelousas for 52 years as a practicing general surgeon. He graduated from LSU Medical School in New Orleans in 1956 and served his residency at the New Orleans and Lafayette Charity Hospitals. Once he completed his residency he moved to Opelousas and started his surgical practice in 1961. He also became the team physician for the Opelousas Catholic and AIC football teams from the 1960's to the 1980's. During his years as a physician he was loved by his many patients. During his high school years, Doc was a tight end for Mamou High School. He ran the half mile on the SLI track team during his pre-med days. He was actually a non-professional moto-crosser for one season. He enjoyed water skiing and snow skiing and would holler, "Arapahoe!" when he just missed a tree. He also loved going camping and was an avid golfer at The Indian Hills Country Club. He was very active in the Opelousas community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club, Opelousas French Club and was a veteran and served his country proudly in the U.S. Army. Dad was known by his many friends that he often loved visiting. Dr. Deshotels will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. Dr. Deshotles is survived by his six children, Steve Deshotels and his spouse, Cheryl Deshotels; Andre Deshotels and his spouse, Reba Phillips Deshotels; Anne Deshotels and her partner, Betsy Goggan; Teddy Deshotels and his spouse, Sharon Desormeaux Deshotels; Patrice Deshotels and Mary Deshotels Courville and her spouse, David Courville and his sister, Jeanel Joy Alexander and her spouse, James Alexander. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Bathilde Deshotels; his son, Dr. Seldon Deshotels, Jr., who is survived by his spouse, Ann Risher Deshotels. Also preceded in death was his sister, Eloise Young and her spouse, Lee Vernell Young and his two grandchildren, Nicolas Courville and Christina Deshotels.

Visiting will begin at the LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas on Sunday, December 22, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. until service time. A rosary will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. Pallbearers will be Teddy Deshotels, Andre Deshotels, Steve Deshotels, Sr., Steve Deshotels, Jr., Simon Deshotels, Alex Deshotels, Devon Deshotels, Jacob Deshotels, Noah Deshotels, Jackson Courville, Matthew Deshotels, Adam Fontenot and Josh Fontenot.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Hospice of Acadiana, Magnolia Estates and his many doctors and nurses. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in Dr. Seldon Deshotels' name, to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnson Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, La. 70503. Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com

LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, (2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, La., (942-2638) has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.