Harris James Champagne, Sr.

St. Martinville - Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, November 6, 2007, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville, for Harris James Champagne, Sr., 90, who passed away on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at Consolata Nursing Home in New Iberia. Entombment will follow at St. Michael Mausoleum in St. Martinville. Rev. P. Austin Leger, pastor of St. Martin de Tours Church, will conduct the services. Readers will be Mark Johnson and Kahne Girouard. Gift Bearers will be Tracie Peltier and Rachael Naquin. Harris proudly served our country during World War II, having been in the Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in the Pacific Campaign in World War II. He was self employed as a battery distributor. Harris was a founding director of Teche Bank & Trust Co. in St. Martinville, one of his many entrepreneurial endeavors. He enjoyed traveling, family gatherings and any social event. He was a loving father and grandfather and alongside with his wife taught the importance of family values. Survivors include his son, Harris "Jimmy" Champagne, Jr. and his fiance, Lisa Curry of St. Martinville; his daughters, Catherine Margaret Champagne of Baton Rouge, Mary Margaret Girouard and her husband, Ray of Broussard, and Elizabeth Anne Champagne of St. Martinville; his brother, Roy J. Champagne and his wife, Joie; his grandchildren, Mark Johnson, Jim Johnson, Gentry Peltier, Tracie Peltier, Kirk Girouard, Rachael Naquin, Ryan Champagne, and Shaun Champagne; his great grandchildren, Kaleigh Naquin, Natalie Naquin, Lexie Claire Girouard and Benjamin Girouard. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arcade Pierre Champagne and Laura Caillier Champagne; his wife, Catherine Durand Champagne; his sisters, Lou Thevenet and Bibienne Fuselier; his granddaughter, Julie Catherine Johnson. The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Monday, November 5, 2007 and continue at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 until time of service. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Special thanks to Consolata Nursing Home for their extraordinary care given to Harris during his stay. Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville is in charge of arrangements.