William Thomas Basco

William Thomas (Tom) Basco of Lafayette, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2014 at the age of 76. After the passing of his wife of 46 years, Patricia (Patsy) Johnson Basco, he married Mary Carmen Stephens in November 2013. They made their residence in Lafayette, and they enjoyed the union of their extended families. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia (Patsy) Johnson Basco; a daughter, Linda Maria Basco; his parents, John R (Adout) Basco and Eula Lea Newman Basco; and his brother John Russell Basco, Sr. He is survived by his spouse, Mary Carmen Stephens. Tom was the loving father of Dr. William (Bill) Thomas Basco, Jr (wife Millibeth Currie) of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and Dr. Byron David Basco of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He immensely enjoyed spending time with his 5 grandchildren: Adelaide N Basco, William (Will) A Basco, and Emmeline A Basco of Mt Pleasant, SC and Kennedy G Basco and Regan J Basco of Baton Rouge, La. Tom was born in Anacoco, Louisiana on December 23, 1937. He grew up in Many, Louisiana where he was a member of 4H, and graduated from Many High School. He completed his undergraduate education at University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana, Lafayette). As part of his summer Reserve Officer Training Corps experience, he earned his paratrooper wings, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. Also during, and initially after completion of college, he worked for Lane Wells in south Plaquemines Parish, during which time he met his future wife of 46 years, Patsy Basco, and developed an affinity for the parish that would last his lifetime. Tom became an educator and spent his life working with youth in multiple capacities. He taught at multiple south Plaquemines Parish schools - Seaway Academy, Delta Heritage Academy, and finally Buras Middle School. He also directed a summer recreation program housed at the Empire Civic Organization facility in Empire, Louisiana. He was a bus driver for both schools and recreation programs. Another enduring passion was the Boy Scouts of America, and he served as both assistant scoutmaster and scoutmaster for Troop 106 of Belle Chasse, Louisiana, leading 3 groups on high adventure canoeing trips in Canada. He was a man of faith, having served in the Knights of Columbus as both a third- and fourth- degree member. He is a former Grand Knight of Council 4033 in Buras, Louisiana. He had a deep love of country, and he served (and retired) as a reservist in the 509th Air National Guard at Alvin Calendar Field in Belle Chasse. Tom's greatest legacy would have to be his former students and scouts. He never tired of catching up on what they were doing, and he was immensely proud of all their accomplishments. Tom spent his days looking for opportunities to help others, and he is universally described as "kind" by those whose lives he touched. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at MOTHE FUNERAL HOME 7040 LAPALCO BLVD in Marrero, LA on Monday, July 7, 2014 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Visitation will resume at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a funeral Mass at the Church at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in the Church cemetery. For directions or to view and sign the online guest book, please visit: www.mothefunerals.com.