Gerald David Deffez's Obituary
Gerald David Deffez, 85, loving husband, adoring father and grandfather, entrepreneur, and stranger to no one passed away peacefully at home on August 7, 2022. Always one to share a good story, it is no surprise that his own history is long and entertaining.
From his years growing up in Port Arthur, Texas where he was captain of the debate team and a baseball and tennis star, to his days at Lamar Tech and then LSU where, by his own account, he was quite the catch and chased by all the ladies, he was a standout. But it was his “Cajun Beauty” Elizabeth Landry, who ultimately won his heart, and shared his life. Married 54 years, he was also the proudest father in the world – just ask him – of Marla Deffez Fowler and would stop strangers to tell them about the lavish wedding he hosted when she married his “favorite son in law” Kent Fowler, a union he cherished even more because of the instant family and close friendship he found with Margaret and the late John Fowler. While he loved the sound of the word “Dad”, being called “Poppy” by his grandchildren, Christina Elizabeth Fisher and Grant Christian Fowler, brought him the most joy, never missing a ballet recital or Nutcracker production for Christina, or car show or art market for Grant. He hosted over the top birthday parties, shared vacations and holidays, waited in school carlines, and taught them about cooking and gardening. They are his legacy and he loved every minute sharing their triumphs. We will forever treasure his last great hurrah just a few months ago when he spent the entire weekend dancing as we celebrated Christina marrying Phillip Fisher, a groom who more than won her Poppy’s seal of approval.
A collector of hats, it was fitting that he wore so many over the years and has been known as a Landman and Oil Scout, a Home Builder, and an Art Publisher and Promoter, but the hat he wore the longest was that of Restaurateur, owning and operating numerous restaurants and developing Landry’s Seafood Inn and Cajun Village in Henderson, Louisiana, where he built an art studio for his longtime friend, George Rodrique. and together they promoted the Saga of the Cajuns art series as well as welcomed the birth of the Blue Dog.
His last 30 years were spent encouraging and promoting additional Louisiana artists, and he was proud to share his Cajun heritage in this format. Family was everything to him. He recounted great stories of his time with so many cousins in South Louisiana, and cherished memories of his parents, the late Mabel Maraist Deffez and Percy Deffez. He loved his inlaws, especially the late Maude LeBlanc Landry and William Landry, whom he thought of as second parents, and they loved him as a son. He also missed Percy J Deffez, Jr. and Burton Deffez, having loved them as brothers, but liking them as friends.
Never one to stay in one place long, Gerald called 7 cities home and in his last 25 years alone, managed to move homes eight times within the same parish, always looking for his next remodeling challenge, having been bitten by the building bug when he built along the shores of Bayou Teche in Breaux Bridge, an ever evolving and growing home where he established his personal record-of a 15 year residence.
Wherever he chose to call home, from Lafayette to Mandeville, he immediately made himself part of the community and felt it his responsibility to entertain everyone he met. He brought home strays, both four-legged and two-legged, and always felt the call the serve, whether it was his time in the US Army, or as an Usher and in the Newcomers Ministry of Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church where he was a parishioner for 25 years.
To anyone who ever met him, he was one of a kind, instantly adored, and unforgettable.
Our deepest gratitude goes out to the caregivers who shared his last weeks, and the comfort he was afforded thanks to Hospice of St. Tammany, allowing us to honor his one wish of being home with his beloved pup, Pauper, and his beautiful back porch where’d he’d spent countless hours with his bride laughing over memories these last few years, and telling her “I love you today, tomorrow, forever…and eternally.” He was always one with words.
We welcome family and friends to join us in a celebration of his life and Funeral Mass on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1501 W Causeway Approach, Mandeville, Louisiana. Visitation from 11AM-1PM, Funeral Mass at 1PM, and reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society or charity of your choice.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign the online guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Gerald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gerald?
Share a story where Gerald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gerald you’ll never forget.
How did Gerald make you smile?