John E. Boagni Jr.

John Emmett Boagni, Jr. passed away on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the age of 87 after a lengthy illness which he faced with great dignity and courage. A retired licensed professional Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor, he was a native and resident of Opelousas, La. He was a lifelong member of the Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church and a graduate of Opelousas High School "War Class" of 1942. He graduated from Louisiana State University, College of Engineering in 1949. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II, serving more than two years in the South Pacific, principally in the Marshal and Mariana Islands with the 67th U.S.N. Construction Battalion. He was retired from the Louisiana State Department of Transportation and Development as Director of Maintenance and Field Operations after serving more than 30 years in various engineering and administrative positions. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Louisiana Society of Professional Engineers in Civil Service and the Louisiana Highways Engineers Association. He will always be remembered for his creativity, integrity and leadership skills. John was very skillful in his professional field of engineering, as well as fields of computer science, photography, woodworking and painting. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his father, John E. Boagni, Sr., mother, Lois Mildred Shaver Boagni, and sister, Dr. M.L. Boagni. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Fleta Theresa Hollier Boagni of Opelousas; two daughters and their husbands, Linda Catherine and Dr. Joseph Y. Bordelon, Jr. and Janet Elaine and Glenn Charles Doucet, all of Opelousas, La.; and a son, Robert E. Boagni and his wife, Jill, of Zachary, La. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His grandchildren are Dr. Yvette Bordelon Dzurik and husband Dr. Matthew Dzurik of Fort Worth, Texas; Sean Bordelon of Shreveport, La.; Matthew Doucet and wife Heather of Lafayette, La.; Grant Doucet and wife Danielle of Opelousas, La.; Rob Boagni and wife Kacey of Sugar Land, Texas; Dr. Monique Boagni Nilsson and husband Chris, of Sugar Land, Texas; and Andre' Boagni of Zachary, La. Greatgrandchildren are Abigail Dzurik, Micah and Layton Doucet, Drew and Tatum Boagni, and Annelise and Julianna Nilsson. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 4, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home. Services will follow immediately at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Myrtle Grove Cemetery. The Navy Honor Guard will be present at the graveside. The family would like to give special thanks to Louisiana Hospice Care and devoted caregivers, Grant Doucet, Becky Bellard, Rose Mary Chavis, Shirley (Charlene) Francis, Harry Major, Mary Semien and Ella Mae Rubin. Special thanks are also extended to Reverend Pam Roy and Reverend Walt Dunbar, Jr. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church, 515 East Bellevue Street, Opelousas, LA 70570. Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com. Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. (2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA, 70570, (337) 942-2638).