Donald Karl Dutt Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

DONALD K. DUTT – Lafayette, August 6, 1925 – December 14, 2021 (age 96) Don was born the youngest of nine brothers and sisters in Bethlehem, PA to Willard and Anne Dutt. The Depression was hard on the large family, and Don, as a teenager, often worked with his dad and four brothers building homes. Don was too young to join the war effort in 1941, however he enlisted in the Marines after graduating from Liberty High School in May 1943. A “rough, tough Marine”, Don was proud of his military service during World War II. A Private First Class in the US Marine Corps 5th Division Engineer Battalion, Company B, 1st Platoon he was part of the second wave to hit the beaches in the Battle of Iwo Jima. He also served during the occupation of Japan and China immediately following the war. He met the love of his life, Rita Sophie LeBlanc, shortly after WWII in New Orleans while she was attending Charity of New Orleans Nursing School. They were married, following a short courtship on June 7, 1947. They lived in Bethlehem, PA for a few years, where their oldest, Karl, was born. The skills learned while working with his family served him well after moving to Lafayette in 1950, where Don built their first home. Don and Rita lived a simple life, working and raising seven children. Early on, Don had a few jobs, but he became a letter carrier in 1967 and retired from the US Postal Service in 1988. Don and Rita loved to travel and after retirement, they traversed the United States for months at a time in their RV. Don also enjoyed buying and renovating classic cars. He was a member of the Antique Car Club of Lafayette, serving as the club’s travel agent and tour guide for many local and cross-country trips. Later in years, he began to visit many antique stores or flea markets, throughout Louisiana and Texas, creating an impressive Matchbox collection. Don was an avid reader, and also loved watching sports; he attended many, if not all, of his kids’ games through the years (and that was a lot…seven kids playing 3-4 sports). He enjoyed attending local, high school football games “for something to do”. Don had an appetite, and though “I’m not one to talk and cause trouble” he especially liked hot dogs, catfish, ice cream, coconut cake, Tasty Cakes, and peanuts. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita; son, Karl, and granddaughter, Lisanne Prejean. Six of his seven children, eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren survive him: Doug (children, Doug, Joey and Stephanie); Lydia and husband, Larry Schupbach, (children, Mike and Mitch, grandchildren, Parker, Charlotte and Cooper, Kerstin and Kolton); Lisa Prejean (children, Lauren and Olivia, grandchild, Oliver); David (child, Devon); Dan (child, Lynda); and Darrell and wife, Jeanine (children, Madelyn and Molli). Visitation will be held at Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, 10:00 AM –12 :00 PM on Saturday, December 18, 2021. There will be a family only gravesite service immediately following at Lafayette Memorial Cemetery, 2111 W. Pinhook. Donations can be made in Don’s memory to the Lafayette Public Library Foundation, P.O. Box 53024, Lafayette, LA 70505, or lplfoundation.org, or to Hospice of Acadiana, hospiceacadiana.com. Personal condolences may be sent to the Dutt family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Donald K. Dutt and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA.

Donald Karl Dutt

August 6, 1925 - December 14, 2021