Martin Joseph "Zeke" DuCote, M. D.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, January 20, 2025 in Delhomme Funeral Home - Chapel of the Flowers for Martin Joseph "Zeke" DuCote, M.D., 91, who passed away on January 16, 2025. Dr. Steve Horn, Executive Director of Louisiana Baptists, will conduct the funeral services. Burial will take place in Hepzibah Cemetery - Shubuta, MS on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, weather pending. Dr. DuCote, a lifelong resident of Lafayette, was the son of the late Martin Joseph DuCote, Sr. and the former Margaret Dees. Dr. Zeke, as he was affectionately called, was born in Lafayette on March 20, 1933, and he loved his hometown. He graduated from Lafayette High School in 1951 and lettered in 4 sports. In 1955, he graduated from S.L.I. (University of Louisiana) and received his Medical Degree from Tulane Medical School in 1959. After completing his Internship and Residency, Dr. DuCote came back to Lafayette and joined a partnership with J.W. Vildibill Jr, M.D. He practiced Urology from July of 1964 until his retirement in July of 2018. Over those 54 years, Dr. DuCote absolutely loved practicing medicine and getting to know his patients & their families. He had a gift for putting patients at ease and always knew more about them than just their medical history. Dr. DuCote never forgot a name and truly missed his patients when he reluctantly retired at 85. Throughout his career, Dr. DuCote supported and helped grow the medical community in Lafayette by serving in many organizations. He was a member the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association (AUA) and the Louisiana State Medical Society, President of the Louisiana State Urological Society, and President of the Lafayette Parish Medical Society. Dr. DuCote was inducted into the Louisiana Medical Association Hall of Fame and was also recognized by the Lafayette Parish Medical Society for 50 years of practice. Music was an integral part of Zeke's life. He supported so many musical organizations in Lafayette and tried to attend any & all concert events. Zeke sang tenor with Chorale Acadienne, Barbershop Quartets, and church choirs. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Acadiana Symphony. As someone who loved UL athletics, he attended the Cajuns basketball, softball, and football games; Zeke held season tickets to UL football for 60 years. As a man of faith, Zeke began and ended each day with prayer. He was instrumental in bringing Young Life to Lafayette, where he served on the Committee and Board. Zeke was especially passionate about foreign missions. One of his most memorable trips was a summer spent in Africa with his family, assisting his good friend, Gordon Jones, M.D., a resident medical missionary to Zambia. When he was not practicing medicine, he was working in the yard. Zeke loved cutting his grass! Dr. DuCote is survived by his loving wife, Becky, whom he met while he was an Intern and she was a nursing student. Their 6-month courtship turned into 64 years of marriage. He is also survived by his children, Karen D. Thow, Scott M. DuCote, Ruth D. (Ben) Blundell, and Pam D. (Clipper) Peale; grandchildren, Claire T. (Thomas) Zak, G. Mason Thow, Lindsay D. (Collin) Cheek, Luke I. (Madeline) Blundell, Parker J. Blundell, and Julia Jane Peale; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Margaret DuCote; sister, Carolyn DuCote (William) Walker; son-in-law, George E. Thow; and brother-in-law, David L. Mason. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home - Bertrand on Sunday, January 19, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Visiting hours will continue on Monday, January 20, 2025 from 11:00 AM until the time of service. Pallbearers will be Luke Blundell, Mason Thow, Collin Cheek, Thomas Zak, Chad Guidry, and Chris Fontenot, M.D. Honorary Pallbearers will be Elliott Smith, David Mason, and J.R. Marks. In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable donations & honoraria giving be made to: Lafayette Young Life P.O. Box 51952 Lafayette, LA 70505 (337) 989-9595 Personal condolences may be sent to the family of Martin Joseph "Zeke" DuCote, M.D. at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com Martin Joseph "Zeke" DuCote, M.D. and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to his longtime friends, Duane F. Delhomme and his family at Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA.

Martin Joseph "Zeke" DuCote, M. D.

March 20, 1933 - January 16, 2025