James W. Comeaux

Breaux Bridge - Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 16, 2006, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge for James Winfred Comeaux, 73, who died at 7:05 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at Courtyard Manor Nursing Home in Lafayette. Entombment will be in St. Bernard Cemetery No. 2 in Breaux Bridge. Mr. Comeaux was a life-long educator in St. Martin Parish. He was an Air Force Lieutenant, served as a Pilot and Radar Operator for five years, and retired as a Captain. He worked in a federal program known as Acadiana Neuf, he then taught Industrial Arts in Lafayette Parish at N.P. Moss and Northside schools. He was the Federal Coordinator of Federal Funds for St. Martin Parish; during that time, he acquired federal monies to build the Instructional Center in Breaux Bridge, the 7 and 7 Program for oilfield workers to attend college, and the Follow-Through Program to help disadvantaged children. He served as the Assistant Superintendent of St. Martin Parish Schools, and was a Supervisor in the St. Landry Parish School System, then later became a Professor of Industrial Technology at U.S.L. in Lafayette. He was later hired by Westinghouse Corporation to teach Industrial Tech in French in Morocco, Africa to Moroccan girls. He then resumed this teaching of Industrial Tech teaching at U.S.L. He was also a contractor and built homes in Lafayette, St. Martin and St. Landry Parishes. Mr. Comeaux then retired in 1995. Survivors include his wife, Jane Broussard Comeaux of Breaux Bridge; two sons, Marcus Comeaux and his wife, Louise of Houston, TX and Michael Comeaux and his wife, Michelle of Breaux Bridge; three daughters, Patricia Berkebile and her husband, Jerry of Midland, TX, Deborah Degatur, and her husband, Dr. Warren Degatur of Breaux Bridge and Karen Barber of Houston, TX; two sisters, Shirley Foote of Sulphur and Lois Terro of Indian Bayou; and eleven grandchildren, Ben Degatur, Charles Degatur, Emily Degatur, Kate Degatur, Kallie Degatur, Matthew Berkebile, Kimberly Berkebile, Ammique Comeaux, Remy Comeaux, Elizabeth Comeaux, and Ryan Comeaux. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddy and Emma Meche Comeaux; and his brother, Ray Comeaux. The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 4:00 p.m. ~ 10:00 p.m. on Thursday and continue at 7:00 a.m. on Friday until time of service. A rosary will be recited in French at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening. Pallbearers will be Ben Degatur, Charles Degatur, Dr. Warren Degatur, Jerry Berkebile, Matthew Berkebile, and Lenny Terro. Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge is in charge of arrangements.