Waldemar Oran Toce

Funeral services will be held at a 12:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at St. Mary Catholic Church for Waldemar 'Wally' Oran Toce, Sr., 87, a lifelong Lafayette civic and business leader who died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, July 25, 2012. Reverend Harold Trahan, pastor of St. Mary Church will be the Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Gift bearers will be his granddaughters, Allyson Houston, Kimberly Walker, Jordan Miguez and Jansen Dupuis. Entombment will be held at Calvary Mausoleum. Wally was born in Lafayette on October 24, 1924, the son of Thelma Talen and Victor Toce. He graduated from Lafayette High School in 1942. His oil field experience and career began during the summer of his junior year in high school in 1941 when he worked for Frank's Casing Crew. Wally enlisted, at the age of 17, in the United States Coast Guard, serving aboard the destroyer escort, USS Merrill. Upon his honorable discharge, he began working for Core Laboratories, then as an oil scout and on to his long career as a petroleum landman. Wally met the love of his life, Jeris Theresa Blanchard, and they were married on August 18, 1945 and a year later, their first son was born followed by two daughters and another son. Wally earned a B. S. degree in Industrial Technology in 1952 from SLI (now ULL). He earned his second degree from the university in Petroleum Geology in 1960. After working as a Landman for different companies, Wally resigned from General Crude Oil Company as VP Land in 1972, when, along with his wife Jeris, formed his two oil and gas companies - W. O. Toce Oil and Gas Interests and Acadiana Resources, Inc. Mr. Toce was a long time member of the Lafayette Association of Professional Landmen and the American Association of Professional Landmen. He served AAPL as Membership Chairman was recognized by AAPL with the Landman of the Year Award for his endeavor to establish a School of Law at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (ULL). Mr. Toce was also instrumental in establishing the first certification process for petroleum landmen which was approved in 1970. He served as Chairman for South Louisiana, reviewing landman certification applicants. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Lafayette Petroleum Club and Oakbourne Country Club. Mr. Toce was a passionate supporter of the University of Louisiana Lafayette. While earning his second degree, Wally helped to start a night school division. Mr. Toce, along with his wife, Jeris, established the W.O. and Jeris Toce Endowed Business Scholarship and the W.O. and Jeris Toce Endowed Faculty Development Fund. Mr. Toce also was instrumental in the establishment of the Professional Land and Resource Management program at ULL. Civic responsibility and duty to his hometown was very important to Mr. Toce. Wally served on the Evangeline Area Boy Scout Council, he volunteered as manager for American Legion Baseball and served on the Lafayette Playground and Parks Commission. He was a SCORE counselor for the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce mentoring small business owners. Mr. Toce served the Lafayette Regional Airport as a commissioner three separate terms. He was first appointed to the Lafayette Airport Commission in 1973 and he subsequently was appointed as Chairman in 1977, 1996 and 2001. Mr. Toce was a licensed pilot for over 50 years and participated in the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles Program. He was recognized at the age of 85 as being the oldest pilot to fly a Bellanca Citabria aerobatic aircraft. Mr. Toce was an avid golfer throughout his lifetime having been on the SLI golf team and a long-time member of Oakbourne Country Club. He was a health and exercise enthusiast. Wally was one of the first members of Red Lerille's Health and Racquet Club. For nearly 50 years, Wally would be there every day when Red opened the doors to work out. He was the recipient of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Ageless Hero Award in Vigor and Vitality for the state of Louisiana. He was an amazing cook and his recipes can be found in the original Talk About Good cookbook. Wally and his family were among the first parishioners of St. Mary's Catholic Church. One of his proudest moments was to be a participant in the Honor Air Flight for World War II veterans in 2008. Wally was most importantly a loving, dedicated and generous husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family will miss his love, strength, leadership and guidance. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Jeris Blanchard Toce, parents and brother, Victor Toce. He is survived by his four children, Waldemar Oran Toce, Jr., Jeri Dupuis and Rick, and Blane Toce and Lisa, all of Lafayette, LA and Celi Trepanier and Yves, Huntsville, AL; and one brother, Paul M. Toce and wife Patty of Lafayette and sister-in-law, Virginia Riley. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Delhomme Funeral Home of Lafayette on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until the time of services. A rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. by longtime family friend, Dr. David Roy. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, James Breaux, Ryder Dupuis, Philip Breaux, Blane Toce, Jr. and Marc Trepanier, along with Gerald Broussard, Aubrey Guidry, Paul M. Toce, Sr., Rick Dupuis, Yves Trepanier and A. J. Theriot. The family would like to thank Agnes Kilchrist and her Angels for their loving service. Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Acadiana or the Alzheimer's Association. 'Yes, Dad, it is a beautiful Fall!' Personal condolences may be sent to the Toce family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Waldemar Oran Toce

October 24, 1924 - July 25, 2012