E. Gaon Escude'

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Ethan Gaon Escude’, former co-owner and funeral director of Escude' Funeral Home.

Mr. Gaon, age 87 and life-long resident of Mansura, passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in San Antonio, TX.

Memorial Mass for Mr. Gaon Escude' will begin at 12:00pm on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Mansura with Fr. Blake Deshautelle officiating. Interment will be held at St. Paul Mausoleum in Mansura. Visitation will begin at 8:00am until 11:45am on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Escude' Funeral Home in Mansura with a rosary prayer service led by Barbara Escude' Lemoine at 11:00am.

Like his father before him, Mr. Gaon Escude’ began working in the funeral industry in 1959 with his father at Escude’ Funeral Home in Mansura. As a young man, he remembers helping his father in the preparation of the deceased in their homes. Few people, like Gaon, remember when funeral homes also ran local ambulance services. Once he became a licensed funeral director, he helped his father in running the family business. Gaon also assisted in selling life, house, fire, and accidental insurance policies to the families of Avoyelles Parish through Escude Life Insurance Company. Escude’ Funeral Home had expanded into Cottonport and he managed that location while living on the premises with his wife, Jane, and his two young children, Shawn and Kim. Envisioning opportunity to grow, he and his brother, Ira Escude’, also started Escude’ Brothers’ Vault Company to assist families further.

While serving the families in Avoyelles Parish through his work at the funeral home, he has also been involved in community service over the years. He is a lifelong parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Mansura and served on the Parish Council of St. Paul's. Like his father before him, Gaon has been a very active member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as the financial secretary for 35 years. In addition, Gaon is a charter member of the Mansura's Lion Club serving since 1961. The Town of Mansura had the honor of him serving on the town council for an unprecedented 10 terms, serving as Mayor for 8 months and as Mayor Pro-Tem for most of those terms. He was also a member and sometimes officer in the Mansura Chamber of Commerce over 30 years.

Gaon was not a person that took life sitting down. He enjoyed his work with the town council overseeing many projects from behind the scenes making sure that they are completed to his high standards. In his leisure time, he enjoyed playing tennis, riding his bike through town, and exercising his mind while playing a contentious game of chess with friends. Mr. Escude has in fact helped start tennis and chess clubs in Mansura.

He has been an invaluable member of our community over the years. People know him for being a professional businessman like his father, but he is better known for his easy-going and kind-hearted nature.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Jane Ponthieux Escude’; his daughters, Kim Escude' of San Antonio, TX and Shawn Escude' (Jun Longhurst) of Allen, TX; two grandchildren, Camille Roy and Brennan Wilcox; his brother, Ira (Linda) Escude’ of Mansura; his aunt, Barbara Escude’ Lemoine. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph L. Escude’, Jr. and Inez Grayson Escude’; infant daughter, Erica Escude’; infant son, Brandon Escude’; sister, Priscilla Escude’ Allums; son-in-law, Don Roy.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Louisiana Lions League For Crippled Children Foundation, as Mr. Gaon was a member of the Mansura Lions' Club, this camp was always sponsored by the club.