Dr. Don Harris

Broussard – A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, in Broussard, for Dr. Donald Paul Harris, who passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. 

Entombment will follow in the church cemetery. 

Monseigneur Keith DeRouen will be the Celebrant. 

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm, at Pellerin Funeral Home at 502 Jefferson Terrace in New Iberia (337.365.3331), and will continue Wednesday, from 9:00 am until 12 noon. 

A rosary, led by the Men’s Rosary Group, will be prayed at 6:00 pm on Tuesday. 

Don’s family would like to thank everyone who was part of his care and support. Dr. James Falterman and Dr. Edward Lisecki of New Iberia; Dr. Claudio Tatsui, Queena Gonzalez, PA, Dr. Todd Swanson, and Dr. Amishi Shah of MD Anderson and Hospice of Acadiana. His Bible Study buddies of Le Triomphe; Tori Olivier, his caregiver and all of his family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers and plants, please send memorial donations in the name of Dr. Donald Harris to the Miles Perret Cancer Center using the link HERE or by visiting https://milesperret.org/ways-to-give/memorials OR to the Louisiana Dental Association Foundation using the link HERE or by visiting https://www.ladental.org/dentist-resources/lda-foundation. 

Dr. Don Harris Obituary 

It’s a crisp Saturday night in LSU Tiger Stadium with thousands of screaming Tiger fans. The LSU Golden Band from Tigerland starts with their classic “Duhn du dun dun!” The Tigers come bursting out onto the field with enthusiasm as they prepare to take on their next opponent and the crowd goes wild. As many times as Don was there for that experience, we imagine that is what it felt like in Heaven when he made his grand entrance. Don was an avid fan of the LSU Tigers but even more so a fan of his family and the thousands of people with whom he shared a reciprocal love. 

Family was of utmost importance to Don. If you knew him, you know that family was not just those he was biologically related to. He never met a stranger and once you were one of his, you were his for life. He mentored, inspired, encouraged, and celebrated others leaving a legacy that will live on and on far beyond his 78 years on this earth. 

Don was born to Paul and Shirley Leleux Harris of Estherwood, Louisiana, on October 15, 1946. He lost his dad at a young age propelling him to an early start with responsibility, determination and courage supported by his mother, who served as an elementary school educator for fifty years. He graduated from Midland High School in 1964 where he holds a record for the hundred-yard dash. A record he was quite proud of and would joke about often. 

Upon high school graduation, Don attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL). At USL, he was a Kappa Sigma, a fraternity in which he made lifelong friends including his brother-in-law, Charlie Melancon. USL was also where he met his beautiful future bride, Julie Melancon Harris of Napoleonville, Louisiana. Don quickly fell in love with the Melancon family and adopted them as his own, and Joe Melancon, Julie’s dad, became like a second father to Don. Don excelled and was accepted into Loyola Dental School after three years of undergraduate studies. Julie and Don were married in June of 1969 after his second year of dental school. Upon graduation as a Doctor of Dental Surgery, he proudly served his country as Captain Donald Paul Harris, a dentist in the United States Air Force. In 1973, Don and Julie made New Iberia their home as Don began his dental practice and they established themselves in this special community in Louisiana where they would raise their three children. 

Don was a servant leader involved in organizations including but not limited to the Catholic High School of New Iberia Panther Club, the Kiwanis Club, the Acadiana Dental District Association, the Louisiana Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. Dr. Harris taught advanced dental education at the Pankey Institute in Miami, Florida, for several decades. He recently received a tribute award for 50 years of dental practice and had a thriving practice in New Iberia until age 75. When asked if had served in any wars while in the Air Force he would say with a smile, “No, but I fought the war against tooth decay!” He sincerely cared about his patients’ dental health as well as their overall well-being as he considered his patients family. 

With unwavering dedication, Don unconditionally loved and was so very proud of his family. Don is preceded in death by his father, Paul Harris, and his mother, Shirley Leleux Harris. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Julie Melancon Harris, and his three children. Son, Paul Harris and wife, Shelley. Daughter, Liz Harris Tremblay and husband, Claude. Daughter, Emily Harris Mestayer and husband, Jed. Ten grandchildren—Josh, Grant, and Reid Harris; Claude, Gabrielle, and Jacques Tremblay; Madison, Matthew, Michael, and Juliet Mestayer. Great granddaughter—Leighton Harris. And lastly, we can’t forget his favorite fur family member, Roux. 

Don was a fantastic husband, dad, and grandfather. To know Don was to love him. Over the years, he acquired nicknames such as Shamu and Disco Don. When he heard a song or rhythm he liked, he would immediately begin to move to the beat. Once his grandkids came along, he became Poppee, which was his favorite nickname of them all. If he could help it, he would never miss an activity—a dance recital, a cheer competition, a football, volleyball, lacrosse, soccer or baseball game, an awards ceremony, or a birthday party. If you looked on the sidelines or in the audience, he was always there with a smile that said, “You matter!” and “I’m proud of you!” 

Don was a man of upstanding character, and his life was centered around faith and family. Although we cannot be sure of exactly what Heaven is like, we can imagine that he is talking football, grooving to the music, playing a round of golf with friends, drinking eggnog out of a Moose mug, bragging about his family, celebrating someone’s birthday, or simply sitting at the feet of our heavenly Father. Most certainly God is saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!” He will be deeply missed by all, but together we can rejoice in the promise of Heaven as we celebrate the life of a wonderful man. May we all live and love like Don did as we carry on his legacy. 

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace, New Iberia, LA 70560, (337.365.3331)