Larry "Coach" Dugas, Jr.

 

ABBEVILLE – A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Reverend François Sainte-Marie, will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, honoring the life of Larry George Dugas, Jr., 93, who passed away on January 11, 2025, at his home surrounded by loved ones. 

 For 40 years, Coach Dugas dedicated himself to the Vermilion Parish School System, coaching, teaching, and counseling the students he served. Coach never forgot a face, often having a story or anecdote about students new and old. His quiet manner and down-to-earth advice served him well, and will forever live on in the memory of his students and his family. Coach’s heartfelt devotion was and forever will be as a member of the “Big Blue Nation”. He truly loved his time at Erath High School and strongly believed that ”It’s a great day to be a Bobcat”. Coach started his long career as a teacher and coach at Mt. Carmel from 1956 to 1963. He then worked as a teacher and coach at Kaplan High School from 1963 to 1965, a teacher and coach at Erath High School from 1965 to 1968, and finally, as a teacher and guidance counselor at Erath High School from 1968 to 1996, Coach further served by teaching Adult Education for 21 years at Erath High School, and working as a guidance counselor for the Vermilion Parish Alternative Program. Larry served as past President of the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church Council and as past president of the Vermilion Catholic High School board. He was a proud United States Armed Forces member from 1950 to 1954 and a combat veteran of the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1953. He is a lifetime member of the Louisiana High School Coaches Association and was inducted into the Erath High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.

 Larry was a devoted husband to Flaudry, his wife of 66 years. Looking at the two of them was to see the complete definition of love, honor, and cherish. He was also the best father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren, whom he adored.

 A visitation will take place at Vincent Funeral Home – Abbeville on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM; Marine Corps League Ceremony at 6:30PM; a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM, and will continue on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 8:00 AM until 12:45 PM when the procession will depart for the church. The burial will take place at St. Paul Cemetery in Abbeville.

 Larry is survived by his wife, Flaudry Prejean Dugas; daughter, Laurie Dugas Bush (Rodney); daughter-in-law, Trena Touchet; four grandchildren, Shawn G. Dugas, Danielle Dugas Breaux (Scott), Michael R. Bush, and Cameron G. Bush; and one great-grandchild, Ian G. Dugas.

 He is preceded in death by his parents, Larry G. Dugas, Sr. and Vivian Thibodaux Dugas of Napoleonville; sister, Peggy Dugas Danos of Cut Off; son, Neil Jude Dugas; and great-grandchildren, Gabriel Anthony Breaux and Ella Elizabeth Breaux.

 Serving as pallbearers will be Doug Danos, Joey Prejean, Michael Danos, Rodney Bush, Scott Breaux, Shawn Dugas, Michael Bush, and Cameron Bush. Honorary pallbearers will be Clyde Prejean, Robbie Danos, Bryan Mayberry, John Prejean, Michael Prejean, Russell Prejean, Dennis Prejean, Richard Prejean, Saul Prejean, Danny Broussard, Elwood Dupuy, Clarence Moss, and Kirk Vice.

 The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to Lamm Hospice for their unwavering care and compassion.