Elton Barras

New Iberia - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 PM, on Wednesday, September 5, 2007, at Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church in New Iberia, for Elton Joseph Barras, 84, who passed away on Saturday, September 1, 2007, in New Iberia. Entombment will follow in the church mausoleum. Rev. Mike Arnaud will be the Celebrant. Mr. Barras proudly served our country as a 1st. Lt. in the U.S. Army during World War II, in the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign. He received one silver star and two bronze stars. He began his professional career as a salesman for Doerle's Wholesale. He then owned and operated Barras' Grocery from 1951 until 1969, and then worked as Chief Deputy under Tax Assessor Clegg LaBauve from 1969 to 1983. Mr. Barras then served as Iberia Parish Tax Assessor from 1984 until his retirement in December of 2000. He was a former member of the New Iberia Rotary Club, a member of the Knights of Columbus #3425, and a former usher at Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church. Mr. Barras had been active in the United Way of Iberia where he served as District 8 Drive Chairman for many years, and had received the designation of an Honorary Life Time Member. In addition, he was active in the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and Fair Association, in which he was the 1995 Royalty Parade Grand Marshal. He is survived by his children, Garneth Barras Viltz and husband Glen of Lafayette, Terry J. Barras and wife Sandra of Broussard, Taylor F. Barras and wife Cheryl of New Iberia, Gina Barras Bergeron and husband Mark of Thibodaux; grandchildren, Keri Viltz Underwood and husband J.P. of Lafayette, Ross Viltz of Baton Rouge, Lance Barras of New Iberia, Alex Barras of Baton Rouge, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Anna Katherine Bergeron of Thibodaux; great grandchildren, Kai, Nicholas, and Cameron; brother-in-law, Adam Crochet of Loreauville; sister-in-law, Lou Oubre of New Iberia. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mazel Borel Barras; parents, Alex and Noami Laviolette Barras; and a sister, Janette Barras Crochet. A gathering of family and friends will be Tuesday, from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, in New Iberia. A rosary will be Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue Wednesday from 8:00 AM until time of service. Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Terry Barras, Taylor Barras, Glen Viltz, Mark Bergeron, Tyler Oubre, and Bryan Crochet. Honorary pallbearers include Lance Barras, Ross Viltz, Alex Barras, Thomas Bergeron, Trevor Payne, Adam Crochet, Trent Oubre, Roger Dugas, and Kirk Crochet. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace, New Iberia, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.