James Paul Van Way

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 in Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for James Paul Van Way, Sr., 89, who passed away on July 8, 2016. Burial will take place at Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery. James Paul Van Way, Sr. passed away on July 8, 2016 at the age of 89 peacefully in his home, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. J.P., as he was known to all, was a prominent businessman in Lafayette for over 50 years. He was born in Norphlet, Arkansas in 1927 and grew up in Longview, TX. At age 17 he joined the U.S. Army and was in basic training when WWII ended in 1945. He attended college on the GI bill and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas A&M in 1952 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He returned to the army as an Officer to serve his country in the Korean War. In 1955, he moved to Lafayette to build gas stations with Phillips Petroleum, where he fell in love with his wife Shirley Poirier Van Way and this community. He spent his early years in South Louisiana as an Independent Contractor. J.P. was drawn to the oil business and in the 1970s he started several oil service companies including 51 Oil Corp, Blue Marlin and Rental and Fishing Tools and eventually his own oil production company, JP Oil. His interests were many and varied; he earned his pilots license, loved fishing and traveled extensively. He was a long-time member of First Assembly of God Church. He gave generously of his time, skills and resources to his Church and various organization in Louisiana. He was a driving force behind the development of Lafayette Women's Shelter. J.P. was known as a person always willing to help people in need. He had a passion for life and compassion for others. No matter the circumstances, he always had a positive outlook and a way of giving hope to those he met. He encouraged others to fight to the finish and, with that same courage, he battled his disease for 10 years. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by Shirley, his wife of 57 years and his six children: James (Amber) Van Way, John (Elizabeth) Van Way, Chris (Angela) Van Way, Catherine Van Way, Susan Van Way, and Elizabeth (Daniel) Van Way Adania. He enjoyed participating in the lives of his fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sullivan Van Way, Sr., Geneva Lasyone Van Way, and his brother Sullivan Van Way, Jr. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 from 9:00 AM until the time of service. Pallbearers will be J.P. Van Way, Jr., John Van Way, James Van Way, III, John Ryan Van Way, Sullivan Van Way, Dillon Van Way and Cameron Adania. Honorary Pallbearers will be Donald Romero, Kenneth Brooks, Pete Simon, Logan Van Way, Braeden Van Way, Quintin Van Way, Landon Van Way and Justin Van Way. The family would like to acknowledge his longterm caregivers for their many kindnesses: Eric Mouton, Teresa Bernard, Diane Allen, Conan Duffy and Anna Smith. A special thanks is extended to Hospice of Acadiana. Personal condolences may be sent to the Van Way family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

James Paul Van Way

April 7, 1927 - July 8, 2016