New Iberia - A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in New Iberia for John Larry Viator, 81, who passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2019, at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice in Lafayette. Rev. Bill Melancon will be the Celebrant.
Interment will be private.
A gathering of family and friends will be at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Tuesday, and will continue on Wednesday from 9:00 am until 1:15 pm.
A rosary will be prayed at 6:00 pm on Tuesday.
A lifelong resident of New Iberia, John Larry Viator was born on October 30, 1937 to the late Julius Paul Viator and Marie Oubre Viator. He was a 1956 graduate of St. Peter's College and attended Southwestern Lafayette Institute (ULL) in Lafayette, Louisiana. Mr. Viator was a United States Air Force Veteran (1958 -1962), Strategic Air Command, Combat Defense Forces serving in the USA and North Africa. During his service he was a graduate of the USAF Air Police Academy with Academic and Commandants awards. He was a member of the USAF Pistol/Rifle competition team winning the Morrocon and 16th Air Force Championships, placing 7th in the World-Wide Competition matches. He received a Louisiana Honor Medal and an Honorable Discharge.
Following his military career, he operated business with his father and brother, J.P. Viator Auto-Electric Service from 1962-1976. From 1976 to 1989 he was owner/operator of a marine dealership and CEO of an automotive wholesale company. He then entered the insurance industry as an agent and district manager and was appointed as a charter member of the Round Table for his success with sales and service. Until the time of his death, he continued as an independent agent.
He was a people person and loved the outdoors. Golfing was his favorite pastime, and he especially enjoyed the camaraderie with his fellow golfers. In his earlier years he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He often shared stories of the “good old” camp days hunting, fishing, cooking, and playing cards with his father, brothers, and lifelong friends. Mr. Viator was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Sandra F. Cobb Viator; daughters, Amy V. Bolgiano and husband Grayson of Youngsville, and Nina V. Guthrie and husband Alvin of New Iberia; step-children, Leslie Hector and spouse Vicky of Houston; Donald Cobb of Dallas, Douglas Cobb and spouse Lottie of Baton Rouge, and Daniel Cobb and spouse Michelle of New Iberia; brother, Paul E. Viator and wife Marilyn of New Iberia; grandchildren, Lindy Bolgiano and spouse Shayna of Youngsville, Allison Bolgiano and companion, Randy Aymond of Lafayette, Blake Bolgiano of Youngsville, Rylee Guthrie of New Iberia; a great-uncle, Mark A. Viator of New Iberia; 13 step-grandchildren; and five step great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Amoret Ortte Viator; infant brother James Curtis Viator; brothers, Julius P. Viator, Jr. and Carroll Lee Viator; sister, Nelda Viator; and a step-grandson, Jarod Adcock.
Pallbearers will be Donald Cobb, Douglas Cobb, Paul E. Viator, Lindy Bolgiano, Alvin Guthrie, and Blake Bolgiano.
Pellerin Funeral Home of New Iberia, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, (337-365-3331) is in charge of arrangements.
