John Melvin Ducre Sr.'s Obituary
John Melvin Ducre, Sr., passed away on August 28, 2019 at Lakeview Medical Center. John Melvin Ducre, Sr., known as "Melvin" or "Tarty" to his family and friends was born on August 12, 1939 to the late Wallace Ducre and Lillian Lewis Ducre in Lacombe, Louisiana.
Melvin graduated from St. Tammany High School in Slidell, Louisiana, Class of 1960. Upon his graduation, he united in matrimony to his beloved wife Dianne (Deanna Mae Batiste) Ducre on October 29, 1960 in Lacombe, Louisiana. He is survived by his wife, Dianne after nearly fifty-nine years of marriage, and children, Ronald Batiste, Wendell Melvin Cousin, Melonie Johnson Garmon (Mark), John Melvin Ducre, Jr. (Lakeasha), Julliette C. Ducre, and Sheila Brooks Ducre.
Melvin retired from Southeast Louisiana Hospital in 2001 as a Psychiatric Aide Supervisor (27 years). Prior to his retirement, he began a fascination for gardening including landscaping, and making repairs around his home and his daughters' homes. He was always at the right place at the right time and....just a phone call away for many years. Upon his retirement, Melvin had perfected a "Green Thumb," for growing the best organic vegetables, fruit... you name it. And, he loved to share his harvest with his friends and family.
To understand Melvin is to understand this, he was made from a different kind of stock (a rare breed) by today's standards, because he just loved to help people...even perfect strangers. He was a man of dignity, integrity, and good moral values who instilled the very same values in his children. His biggest accomplishments in life were his grandchildren. He would spoil them rotten and give them everything that he could, including the most important thing that any grandchild could ever want from a grandfather...and that is love.
One of his proudest achievements in life was when he became a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus member of Sacred Heart Council. He wore that tuxedo proudly. Another great moment was when he marched onto our state's capital with Father Kyle and other Knights, as well as members of Sacred Heart Church, that was a crusade for anti-abortion.
In addition, Melvin was a volunteer of the Keep Lacombe Beautiful Committee picking up trash along Lake Road and U.S. Highway 190. He loved his community. Whenever someone asked for help, perhaps it was a leaky faucet, or a broken water pump, or a frozen pipe or pump, or a broken lawn mower, and/or whatever it was... he always helped! And, never asked for a dime. This was the goodness of his soul shining. Melvin understood that "Greater is he that is in the word, than he is in the world." And, he exhibited this belief in how he lived. He understood that a "Measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
If you knew Melvin or "Tarty," you knew that he was the life of the party because he was a "People Person" who loved to dance even if he was off beat by a step off two...he did not care. He lived his best life.
Melvin was preceded in death by his siblings, Violet Ducre, Hersey Ducre, Alma Ducre Gousman (late-Raymond), Elaine Ducre Alfred (late-Earl), and Nelda Ducre Batiste (late-Moses). He leaves behind his loving siblings Julian Ducre (Joyce), Anthony Ducre, and Vera Ducre.
In closing, Melvin leaves his legacy, the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Go ahead and fly dad! You are now free. We love you!
Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 28088 Main Street, Lacombe, LA 70445 on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:00 AM until Mass time. Interment will follow the Mass at Williams Cemetery II, Lacombe, LA.
Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?
