Fred Werner

Fred George Werner was born March 28, 1947 in New Orleans and died on September 9, 2025 from a respiratory battle with ALS. He is survived by his wife, Babette Vidrine Werner; his three daughters, Cortney Werner, Conyers, Georgia, Quinn Werner Kile (Lee) Houston, TX, Blair Werner Green (Elliot) Lafayette; two stepchildren, Stan Spring (Guille) Austin, TX, and Courtney Spring Deveil (Jeremie) Bordeaux, France; and five grandchildren, Evelyn and Werner Green, Benicio and Octavio Spring, and Iris Deveil. He is also survived by his brother, Paul Werner, New Orleans; his sisters, Peggy Werner, San Diego, CA, Catherine Werner, Denham Springs, and Nancy Leblanc (John), Baton Rouge. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, George and Gretchen Werner of Baton Rouge; and his first wife, Susan Cheek Werner of Baton Rouge. Fred always tried to live his life with the goal of spending one third of his life learning, one third earning and one third giving. LEARNING – At the age of ten, Fred and his family moved to Atlanta where he attended St. Anthony grade school. Fred was a Boy Scout and an Explorer Scout reaching the rank of Life, a member of the Order of the Arrow and becoming a Senior Patrol leader. Later he attended St. Joseph High School where he was a representative on the Student Council, a member of the track team and the National Honor Society. Upon graduation he attended Georgia State University in Atlanta for two years, the University of Georgia for two years and finished at LSU with a Bachelor of Science when his family moved to Baton Rouge. EARNING - Upon graduation from college, Fred was employed first by Shell Oil Company and then Florida Gas Exploration in their accounting department in New Orleans. However, Fred always wanted to have his own business and narrowed his choices down to a dance club or a pet shop because of his love for nightlife and animals. His wife told him that it was not going to be a dance club. So, he built and operated Critters pet shop in New Orleans for two years before closing it and then was fortunate to obtain a position with E.F. Hutton as a stockbroker, the same occupation as his grandfather, George Crane. After spending a year in New Orleans, enticed by a $300/month raise, Fred moved to Lafayette to establish a branch there. Fred was a successful advisor with E.F. Hutton for many years and became the Lafayette manager. During his tenure he was able to build an elite team that was one of the most profitable branches for E.F. Hutton in the United States. After a merger he moved to Legg Mason as manager of their branch and was able to replicate that success. When Legg Mason also went through a merger, Fred left the firm and started his own firm with his business partner, David Daniel, and called it Summit Financial. Their firm grew exponentially with several offices throughout Louisiana and resulted in a forty year long successful career in the investment business. He enjoyed working with his many clients and cherished the long term friendships that developed. Fred was especially proud that Barron’s Weekly chose Fred and his firm, Summit Financial, as one of the Top 100 Financial Advisory firms in America. GIVING - Fred believed in giving to non-profits in the Lafayette area, not only financially but of his time. He firmly believed in Catholic education and served on the Fatima School Foundation for over 30 years as a board member and as a past president. During that time he was instrumental in the foundation’s assets growing significantly through donations and prudent investing. He served on the St. Thomas More School Foundation as a board member and past president for 17 years. He was able to redirect the foundation’s goals toward fundraising to secure the school’s financial security. Fred served as an original member of the committee establishing United Way of Acadiana’s local foundation and setting guidelines for investing their assets. He also served on the Major Gift Cabinet soliciting donations for United Way. Fred was a Moncus Park board member for four years prior to the park opening, he was able to help the park obtain substantial donations to begin construction and also build a new bridge. Fred was a member of the ULL Professional Advisors Committee and served as past chairman assisting the University in obtaining endowments. He was a Boy Scout Evangeline Area committee member for 2 years. Fred was a Lafayette Townhouse Club Board Member and Past President for 10 years. He was active in Mardi Gras in the Krewe of Troubadours for over 35 years and thoroughly enjoyed their annual pageant. He was a member of the Dukes committee and was also a Royal Duke four times. His three daughters participated in the Troubadours ball as Royal Maids. His daughter Cortney was Queen Berengaria and his daughter Blair was Lady Edith. Fred started Krewe D'Argent in 1997, with David Daniel and the late, Ronnie Calais. The Krewe has participated in the Queen’s parade or Friday night parade for the past 25 years. As a hobby, Fred was passionate about the unique sport of racing homing pigeons which he did the last 30 years of his life. He maintained a large loft of birds at his house and let them participate in races ranging from 100 – 500 miles. It never ceased to amaze him that the birds could find their way home from hundreds of miles away flying at 40-60 mph and arrive home the same day. He was President of the Lafayette Racing Pigeon Club and the Deep South Cajun Combine and a one-time Board Member on the National Organization, the American Racing Pigeon Union (AU). It was a truly fascinating sport which Fred thoroughly enjoyed and shared with others throughout the U.S. and Europe. Shortly before his death, Fred was notified that he had been selected for induction into the AU Member Hall of Fame for his efforts on behalf of the sport. Another hobby he enjoyed was freshwater fishing in Louisiana lakes and in the trout streams of Arkansas. Fred was also passionate about traveling internationally and was fortunate to have visited over 30 countries. In retirement his plan was to visit many more countries, but due to his health, Spain was the only new country visited. Fred and his wife, Babette, spent many wonderful years at their vacation home in Los Suenos, Costa Rica. He enjoyed learning about new cultures and the history of the places he visited. He had always been fascinated with the ancient Egyptian culture and his trip to Egypt and the pyramids was one of the highlights of his travels. Fred truly believed that God blessed him with a very fruitful and prosperous life. So, inspired by the philanthropy of his friend Jim Moncus, Fred created the Fred and Babette Werner Family Foundation to continue his charitable giving in Acadiana after his death. The family wishes to thank the Team Gleason Foundation and Kelly Viator; Hospice of Acadiana Lauri Duke, Alyssa Verrett and every on call after hours nurse; Caregivers Fency Allen, Gus Simon, Tenika Simon, Andrea Pearce, Nina LaSalle and Ladacia Comeaux. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Acadiana or the Fred and Babette Werner Family Foundation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 20, 2025 in Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Fr. Louis Richard will be Celebrant of the Mass and officiate the funeral service. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home - Bertrand on Friday, September 19, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Personal condolences may be sent to the family of Fred Werner at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com Fred Werner and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA.

Fred Werner

March 28, 1947 - September 9, 2025