Paul "T-Paul" Dugas, Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, in Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers (1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA.) for Paul “T-Paul” Dugas, Jr., 77, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Carpenter House. Pastor Jeff Abels, Lead Pastor of Crossroads Church, will conduct the services. Paul was born an identical twin in Lafayette, Louisiana, on January 31, 1948, to Paul Dugas, Sr. and the former Thelma Boudreaux. A lifelong Lafayette resident and proud Ragin’ Cajun, he was best known for his sweet smile, bright blue eyes, gentle spirit, kindness, generosity, and enduring devotion to family. In 1967, during his college years at USL (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), fate intervened on a softball field where he met Brenda Duke of Cleveland, Texas, the love of his life. After their very first date, he told a friend, “I’m going to marry that girl.” Brenda thought he looked like a Kennedy. In 1970, they were married at Crossroads Church (formerly Bethel Assembly of God) in Lafayette, beginning a 55-year partnership built on love, faith, and laughter. Their family began to grow with the birth of their son, Brady Scott, on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1975. Four years later, on February 29, 1980, they welcomed their Leap Year daughter, Jennifer Kristin, completing their family of four. They laid down roots in Lafayette, building a home across the street from Paul’s parents, Paul Sr. and Thelma, his grandmother “Mama Lou,” his sister, Beverly “Aunt B,” and his uncle, Calvin Vice, where family gatherings were a way of life. Paul’s life had many chapters. He once played saxophone in a soul band, patrolled left field on a local softball team, and threw javelin on the Track & Field team at USL, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1972. His love of music never left him - from soul and funk (most notably Earth, Wind & Fire), to jazz, to the Cajun and Zydeco sounds of KRVS 88.7 FM, car rides with Paul always had a soundtrack. That passion for music became his children’s passion, too. Encouraged by his mother, Thelma, Paul applied for a pharmaceutical sales position with Mead Johnson, a decision that would shape the next 40 years of his career. That company later became Bristol-Myers Squibb, where Paul excelled as a respected, award-winning sales professional. He was a member of the prestigious League of Excellence and earned multiple Great Performer and Pinnacle Awards, which took him, Brenda, and his family on adventures across England, France, Spain, Hawaii, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. But Paul was more than his career. He loved life’s simple joys: his mama’s peanut butter fudge, a bowl of gumbo, ice-cold root beer, a good ball game, and horse racing. Known as the unofficial spokesperson for Blue Bell vanilla ice cream, he could always be counted on to have a scoop (or two) at the ready. Above all, Paul was a devoted husband, father, and friend whose greatest joy was his family. He was happiest at a music venue, watching his son Brady perform as lead singer in several bands, or in the stands cheering on his daughter Jenny as she ran the basketball courts and soccer fields. He beamed with pride when Jenny earned a Division I athletic scholarship to ULL, his alma mater, where she became Co-Captain of the Women’s Soccer team. Later in life, nothing brought him greater happiness than becoming “Paw Paw” to his beloved grandsons, Joshua and Christopher. Their presence lit up his world, and his pride in them was evident to everyone who knew him. Being their grandfather was the highlight of his golden years. Paul’s faith was central to his life. He was a member of Crossroads Church, where he served on the MAPS Team and volunteered often. His legacy is one of deep faith, quiet strength, and unwavering dedication to the people who mattered most. He lived a full life marked by purpose, warmth, and the kind of dad-joke humor that put everyone at ease. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Brenda Duke Dugas; one son, Brady Dugas of Lafayette; one daughter, Jennifer Dugas of Austin, Texas; daughters-in-law, Hope Dugas and Kristyn Ciani; two grandsons, Christopher and Joshua Rockvam; one great-grandson, Weston Gage Rockvam; his sister, Beverly Faulk; his brothers, Louis Debetaz of Dallas, Texas, and Carl Dugas of Lafayette; Aimee Rockvam (mother of Christopher and Joshua); and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Thelma Dugas; and his grandparents, Ambrose “GePop” and Edmaize “GeMom” Dugas, and Louis ‘Papa Lou” and Rose “Mama Lou” Boudreaux. Visiting hours will be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home – Bertrand on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Pallbearers will be close family members and friends. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate doctors, nurses, and staff at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Carpenter House for their exceptional care, kindness, and support during Paul’s final days. A private celebration of life is being planned in Austin, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or a dementia charity of your choice in Paul’s memory. Personal condolences may be sent to the family of Paul Dugas, Jr. at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com Paul "T-Paul" Dugas, Jr. and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. August 2025.

Paul "T-Paul" Dugas, Jr.

January 31, 1948 - August 30, 2025