A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Monday, September, 11, 2017 at St. Peters Catholic Church in New Iberia for Richard L. Delhomme, 87, who passed away on Thursday, September 7, 2017 in New Iberia.
Interment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery.
Rev. Gary Schexnayder will be the Celebrant. Readers will be Michelle East, Brooke D. Bourque, and Courtney East. Gift Bearers include Lacy Johnson, Brandon East, Haylee, Logan, Gabi Woodcock, Jaime G. Romero, Haylee Guidry, and Abi Guidry.
A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday from 12:00 Noon until 9:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. A rosary will be prayed at 6:00 PM Sunday. Visitation will continue on Monday from 8:00 AM until 9:15 AM
Richard was born on July 4, 1930 to the late Alfred Joseph Delhomme and Lona Bond Delhomme, and was a veteran of the Army Air Force. Combat Action: He entered into service at Fort Polk, La. His service included the following locations: Kessler Air Force Base in Mississippi; Goose Bay Air Force Base in Labrador; Thule Air Base, Greenland; London, England; Europe; and Reykjavik, Iceland.
When he returned from the Air Force, he was a division mechanic for Lane Wells Company in West Texas. He then decided to open his own business, Iberia Onan Service, Inc. The name was later changed to Delhomme Industries, Inc.; which operated as a Distributor for generator and engine products. Several other companies, which complemented his business, were Electric Rental Systems, Inc., The Delhomme Group, Inc., Delpac, Inc., Engine Systems, Inc., Delhomme Supervised Maintenance, and Electrical and Pneumatic Services, Inc. He retired from his company after 50 years of generator, engine, and turbine sales, parts, and service. His love for airplanes led him to own his own planes and fly them himself around the United States, Canada, and Mexico for business and pleasure.
Richard was, also, in the horse & cattle business, Del River Farm, Inc. He had cutting horses, thoroughbred and quarter racehorses, which some won championship futurities. He had registered Angus cows and golden certified F-1 cows which were bred to Angus and Brahman bulls. He received several awards such as; Conservation Farmers Awards, Cattle Producer Awards, Forage Producer Awards, his farm ranked near the top in state of registered Angus cattle. He established areas for wildlife and planted thousands of hardwood seedlings for the wildlife to make their home and have food. He was interested in attracting deer, migratory waterfowl, songbirds, and various other species that were pleasant to observe.
Richard was also involved in the banking industry as President, Sr. Vice-President, and served on the Board of Directors. The banks included Peoples Bank & Trust, City Bank & Trust Company, First National Bank of Lafayette, and Bank One. He was, also, Treasurer of the Lions Club of New Iberia from 1966 to 1967.
Survivors include his wife, Rebecca C. Delhomme; children, Alfred J. Delhomme II and wife Ruth, New Iberia; Richard T. Guidry, Jr. and Tammy Guidry of Breaux Bridge; Denise G. Johnson and husband Smitty of New Iberia; Laura Guidry and companion Renneh Boruff of Breaux Bridge; Tucker Guidry and wife, Denise of Parks; and Greg Guidry and wife Kelly of Breaux Bridge; grandchildren, Jason Woodcock and wife, Heather of Baytown, Texas; Michelle W. East and husband, Gerald of Humble, Texas; Christopher Woodcock of Texas, Brooke D. Bourque and husband, Jared of Baton Rouge, Jaime G. Romero; Hunter Guidry and wife, Katie; Haylee Guidry; and Dustin Guidry and Jacy Clements; Dylan Guidry and Lindsey Manuel; Lacy Johnson; Abigale Guidry; great-grandchildren, Courtney & Brandon East, Haylee, Logan, & Gabi Woodcock, Kade Woodcock, Francesca Benitez, Layla Elaine Bourque, Maverick Romero, Gage Guidry, and Issac Guidry. Lorelei Cate Bourque due to arrive November; sisters, Sylvia D. Walters of Pineville, and Cathy D. Alexander and husband, Arlen of Jeanerette; Sister-in-laws, June C. Theriot of Breaux Bridge, Louise Champagne of New Iberia, Lucille C. Dugas of New Iberia, and Linda Cormier of Breaux Bridge; niece Patricia C. Hebert and husband, Blaine; and Vicky & Johnny Bonin and Bonnie & Wayne Provost, Peggy & Clay Peltier, son-in-law Mike Woodcock of Kinder, many nieces and nephews and godchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred & Mildred Delhomme; Lorna Bond, first wife, Willa Champagne Delhomme; daughter, Virginia Delhomme Woodcock.
Pallbearers will be Jason Woodcock, Hunter Guidry, Dustin Guidry, Dylan Guidry, Jared Bourque, Gerald East, Mike Champagne, and Clay Peltier.
Honorary Pallbearers include Arlen Alexander, Blaine Hebert, Bonnie Provost, Vicky Bonin, Richard Guidry, Jr., Denise Johnson, Laura Guidry, Renneh Bouff, Phyllis Boutte, Loretta Blanchard, Betty Judice, Pat Hebert, Taylor Tally, and Kaitlyn Johnson.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Richards caregivers, Bonnie Provost, Vicky Bonin, Richard Guidry, Jr., Denise Johnson, Laura Guidry, Renneh Bouff, Phyllis Boutte, Loretta Blanchard, Betty Judice, Taylor Tally, and Kaitlyn Johnson. Special thanks to Patricia & Blaine Hebert, Peggy & Clay Peltier, Hub Allums for their love, many visits, and friendship; Dr. Gerald Halphen, and Father Gary Schexnayder. To Heart of Hospice Staff, especially Alyson. To Acadian Home Care New Iberia staff, especially Candace. To Dr. Ditch and staff, Dr. Rizk, Beth and staff, Dr. Brown and staff. To all those who came by to visit, called to check, and those who offered prayers, we thank you.
Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of the arrangements.