Daniel Verret

Daniel Lee Verret, Sr.

OPELOUSAS - A memorial mass for Daniel Lee "Dan" Verret, Sr., age 90, will be celebrated at 11AM, Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas by Monsignor Keith DeRouen.

Daniel died on Tuesday, August 11 at his residence at Courtyard Retirement and Assisted Living Community in Lafayette.

Visitation will be observed from 8 AM until time of services, Saturday August 22, at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas.

He and his deceased wife, Hazle, were both natives of Jeanerette, LA. He proudly served his country during the dark days of World War II aboard the U.S. Navy Destroyer Heermann (DD-532). He and his shipmates were involved in several decisive naval battles in the South Pacific Theatre among which was the Battle of Leyte Gulf. USS Heermann was the only destroyer of her battle group to survive the conflict.

Following honorable discharge from the US Navy, Daniel earned a B.A. degree from University of Southwestern LA in 1949 and then a Masters of Education degree from L.S.U. with additional 30 hours of post graduate study.

While pursuing college degrees, he married his high school sweetheart, Hazle Billodeau, and they had two children, Daniel Lee "D. Lee" Verret, Jr. (Therese Sonnier) and Flavia M. Kidder (Floyd P. Kidder Sr). Those unions produced five grandchildren: Floyd P. "Paul" Kidder Jr., Danielle Marie Kidder Stevens, Dana Marie Kidder (deceased) Daniel J. "D.J." Verret, MD and John W. "J.W." Verret, JD. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren.

Daniel was pre-deceased by his parents, Hamilton Verret, Sr. and Hortense Barrilleaux Verret.

He is also survived by two brothers, Hamilton Verret, Jr. and Leonard Verret.

Professionally, Daniel taught Vocational Agriculture at Arnaudville High School and served the St. Landry School Board by directing the establishment of the Washington and Eunice Vocational Centers. He completed his 40 year education career as St. Landry Parish supervisor of vocational education.

Education was his profession, but community involvement and volunteerism were his passion. An abbreviated list of Daniel's volunteer commitments includes Opelousas Little Theatre, Community Choir and Our Lady Queen of Angels Church Choir, St. Elizabeth Seton Church Choir, President of the Courtyard Retirement & Assisted Living Facility Residents' Council, AARP unit president, member of the year and volunteer defensive driving instructor, Louisiana Retired Teachers Association Foundation Board member and local and district chapter president, LRTA "Wall of Fame" recognition, Louisiana Yambilee Festival Board of Directors, Opelousas-St. Landry Chamber of Commerce outstanding citizen of the year, Doctors Hospital and Opelousas General Hospital volunteer.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Daniel's name to either Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or United Service Organizations (USO) P.O. Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home, 2845 S. Union St, Opelousas, LA, 70570, (337)942-2638, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.