Douglas M. Chesson

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, June 26, 2006 at St. Pius Catholic Church, for Dr. Douglas M. Chesson, 86, who died peacefully Friday, June 23, 2006 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm with a rosary recited at 7:00 pm; and will continue Monday from 8:00 am until service time at Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers. Interment will be held Monday at Calvary Cemetery. The Rev. Msgr. Harry Benefiel, will be the celebrant of the Mass and conduct the funeral services. Mrs. Ramona Carmichael will perform for the services. Dr. Chesson was born September 1, 1920 in Houma, LA to the late Milton Joseph Chesson and the former Norma Rosalie Bazet. He graduated from Lorton Preparatory School in Houma. He received his Doctor of Medicine Degree from Louisiana State Medical School in New Orleans. He served his internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and a surgical residency at Baptist Hospital in Alexandria, LA. Dr. Chesson served two years in the Navy, including one year Destroyer Duty on the USS Buck. He later served as superintendent of Louisiana Charity Hospital in Bogalusa, LA and also as Surgeon for the Gaylord Container Corporation in Bogalusa, LA. Dr. Chesson moved with his family to Lafayette, LA and went into the practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology with Dr. H.P. Hewitt. He served on the medical staff at St. Ann Infirmary, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Lafayette General Hospital, and at Women's and Children's Hospital. He was at one time Chief of Staff ar Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. Dr. Chesson belonged to the American Medical Society, Southern Medical Association, and the Lafayette Parish Medical Society. He was a former member of the Beaver Club, Oak Bourne Country Club, and Petroleum Club of Lafayette. He was a former King of the Diotima Ball, and a member of the Town House and served as a Duke in the Southwest Mardi Gras Association. He is survived by his wife, Willa Dean Comeaux Chesson and two children, Douglas M. Chesson, Jr. and wife Cathy, and his daughter, Carolyn Brupbacher. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Elizabeth Bernard, Phillip Brupbacher, Patrick Brupbacher, Emily Brupbacher, Matthew Chesson, Allison Chesson and Kristen Chesson. He also lived to enjoy his three great grandchildren, Barton Bernard, Roman Bernard, and Alexandra Bernard. He is also survived by his two sisters, Mrs. Judy Carolyn Navarre, and Mrs. Norma Rosale Rizzo; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Mr. Patrick Brupbacher, Phillip Brupbacher, and Matthew Chesson; also Don Chesson II, Bart Bernard, and Rick Davis, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mr. Douglas Chesson, Jr., Mr. Don Chesson Jr., Mr. John Russell Comeaux, Mr. Richard Paul Broussard, Mr. Gene Rizzo, Mr. Sonny Navarre, Dr. Harold Chastant, Dr. Walter Benoit Comeaux, Dr. Elmo Cerise, Dr. Gerald Beaullieu, Mr. Wood Breazeale Jr., Dr. John Daigre, Mr. J.J. Schneider, Dr. Beau Burch, Dr. Sam Foreman, and Mr. Ted Beaullieu.. The family would like to give special thanks to Hospice of Acadiana, his doctor Harold Chastant and his nurse Donna Vidrine and also his caretakers, Mrs. Alma Broussard, Mrs. Rena Francis, Mrs. Gustavia Mouton and Mrs. Virginia Broussard. They would also like to thank all of his colleagues and friends for their caring support during his illness. Personal condolences may be sent to the Chesson family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, is in charge of all funeral arrangements.

Douglas M. Chesson

September 1, 1920 - June 23, 2006