Melvin Paul Ducote

Melvin Paul Ducote

A mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Hessmer for Melvin Paul Ducote of Hessmer who passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Riviere de Soleil Community Care Center. Reverend Edwin Rodriguez, pastor of St. Alphonsus Church, along with Reverend Scott Chemino, Pastor of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Bunkie, will officiate the services. Interment will follow at St. Alphonsus's Mausoleum in Hessmer. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 5, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a recitation of the rosary at 6:00 p.m. and resume at 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Escude Funeral Home in Mansura. Arrangements are under the direction of Hixson-Ducote Funeral Home and Escude Funeral Home.

Melvin, "Dee Dee" was born in Hessmer, LA to Lena Guillot and Eustice Ducote on August 23, 1928. He grew up in Hessmer and graduated from Hessmer High School in 1945. He retired as grocery route salesman for Avoyelles Wholesale Grocery Co. after 43 years of service. Melvin was a devote Catholic who served as an usher for many years; a member of several parish committees, cemetery board, and was awarded Parishioner of the Year in 2006 of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. He was a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus of Father Ryan Assembly where he served as Faithful Navigator, was recognized as Family of the Year, and later a member of Msgr. Van der Putten Assembly. As a 3rd degree Knight, he was a member of St. Alphonsus Council #3088 in Hessmer holding many offices including Grand Knight several times, Knight of The Year, along with being District Deputy under two different State Deputies for the Louisiana Knights of Columbus Jurisdiction.

For many years, Melvin coordinated the Food Pantry in Hessmer which served many people throughout Avoyelles Parish. In December of 1995, he along with his wife, Maxine, were awarded the Catholic Community Service Award from the Diocese of Alexandria for their food pantry dedication. He was a member of the Avoyelles Council on Aging, the American Gelbvieh Cattle Association, the Avoyelles Cattlemen Association, and a Charter Member of Board of Director for the Lake Pearl Hunting Club. He was a husband who supported, cared, and loved his wife and a father who was supportive and served as an inspiration as well as a mentor to his two sons. His passion was duck hunting, raising his cattle, and making a yearly garden. He enjoyed being with his family and friends as well as watching sporting events; especially LSU, the Saints, and the Houston Astros.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Eustice and Lena Guillot Ducote.

Mr. Ducote is survived by his wife of 66 years, Maxine Watts Ducote; two sons, Kenneth and wife Janis Ducote of Fifth Ward, and Joey and wife Dr. Garnetta Ducote of Knoxville, TN; three grandchildren, Krystle and husband Shaun Reynaud of Fifth Ward, Matthew and Megan Ducote of Knoxville; one great-grandson, Brendon Reynaud; and his three brothers, Maxie Ducote (Iris) of Cocoville, Johnny (Annie Mae) and Nathan (Joyce) Ducote both of Hessmer; and three nieces and five nephews.

Honorary pallbearers will be; Matthew Ducote, Michael Ducote, Marty Ducote, Megan Ducote, Krystle Ducote Reynaud and Shaun Reynaud.

An Honor Guard of Fourth Degree Sir Knights Raleigh Jeansonne, Jessie Mayeux, and Linton Walls from Father Ryan Assembly, and George Couvillion, Malcolm Guillot, and Walter Laborde from Msgr. Van der Putten Assembly will serve as pallbearers.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hixson-ducote.com