Joseph Deogene Savoie

Funeral services will be held at a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, June 18, 2009 in Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church for Joseph Deogene Savoie, Jr., 79, who passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2009 at Lafayette General Medical Center. Reverend Jeremy Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P., Co-Pastor of St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church will be Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Reverend Gilbert Dutel, Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Church will co-celebrate the Mass. Entombment will be at Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Scott. Mr. Savoie was born August 20, 1929 to parents, J. Deogene, Sr. and Constance Burleigh of Sunset. He attended Sunset High School. On Feb. 9, 1951, he was inducted into the U.S. Army 5th Armored Division and served in the Korean Conflict as a Machine Gunner and French interpreter. During his service, he earned the Bronze Star with two Oak Clusters, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in Dec. of 1952, he returned to Sunset and married his first wife, Rena Arnaud of Leonville. He formed Savoie's Trucking Brokerage Co., shipping produce, mainly sweet potatoes, throughout the country. Over the years, he proved to be a successful small businessman, developing three additional businesses in his hometown. After years of hard work, he retired in 1981. After the death of his first wife in 1975, he married Mary Roy Guidry of Scott. They moved to Beaumont, TX, where Mr. Savoie assisted his wife with her long time association with Don's Seafood and Steakhouse. Upon her retirement in 2001, they settled in Scott where they have lived for the past 8 years. They recently became residents of Kingsley Place Assisted Living Community in Lafayette. "Jay," as he was affectionately known to friends and family, spent his early adult years training and breaking horses with his long time friend, Allen Brasseaux. He was an avid, and quite successful, poker player. Because of his love of sand and sun, each summer was spent vacationing with family and friends on nearby beaches. His greatest pride was his grandchildren, attending their every function or event and doting on their every accomplishment. Survivors include his wife, Mary Roy Savoie of Scott; a daughter, Jennifer Savoie Walker, and her husband, Kent, of Dry Prong, LA; a son, Greg Savoie, and wife, Susan, of Carencro; a stepson, Ronnie Guidry, and wife, Kathy, of Scott; 5 grandchildren, Rev. Jeremy Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P., of New York, NY; Justin Guilbeau of Carencro; Lindsay Guilbeau of Carencro; Dusty Guidry, and wife, Amy, of Scott; Brandi Hollier, and husband Dwayne, of Scott; 2 great grandchildren, Annalise Guilbeau of Carencro and Isabella Guidry of Scott; 2 sisters, Ethel Savoie McCormick of Lafayette; Lydia Savoie Sibille of Lafayette; and 1 brother, Lincoln Savoie, and wife, Maggie, of Sunset. He is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife; his brothers, Victor Savoie of Lawtell and Odell Savoie of Sunset; and sisters, Bertha Savoie Mayo of Sunset and Louella Savoie Dorsey of Opelousas. The family requests visiting hours be observed on Wednesday from 10:00 am until 10:00 pm and on Thursday from 8:00 am until time of service. A rosary will be held on Wednesday at 7:00 pm. Pallbearers will be Greg Savoie, Justin Guilbeau, Ronnie Guidry, Dusty Guidry, Lincoln Savoie and Dean Nezat. Reader will be Brandi Guidry Hollier. Giftbearers will be Lindsay Guilbeau, Annalise Guilbeau, and Denise Brown. Personal condolences may be sent to the Savoie family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home of Scott, 705 Marie Street, is in charge of the arrangements.

Joseph Deogene Savoie

August 20, 1929 - June 14, 2009