Rocky James Derise

New Iberia - Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church in New Iberia for Rocky James Derise, 63, who passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2017, in Lydia after a 14 month battle with esophageal cancer, a fierce battle that he fought with tremendous courage, with his wife, son, daughter, and mother-in-law by his side. Entombment will follow in the St. Nicholas Cemetery in Patoutville. Paul Fontenot and Msgr. Jace Eskind will officiate. A gathering of family and friends will be Wednesday from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM. Mr. Derise was born on June 20, 1953 to Roy Patrick Derise and Judy LaJaunie Derise, and had lived on Weeks Island until 1969 when his family moved to Lydia. A 1972 graduate of Catholic High, he worked for Morton Salt for 22 years before retiring with Guillain-Barre' syndrome. Mr. Derise hobbies included hunting, fishing, golf, LSU football and baseball, and he was a member of the American Legion Baseball, the Old Arkla Hunting Club, and the Doe Run Hunting Club. Mr. Derise also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his beloved granddaughter, Joslyn, who brought him the most joy. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Rose Thibodeaux Derise of Lydia; daughter, Stefani Derise of Lydia; son, Ross Derise and wife Jamie OLoughlin Derise of Lydia; granddaughter, Joslyn Theresa Derise of Lydia; mother, Judy LaJaunie Derise of Lydia; mother-in-law, Rita Savoy Thibodeaux of Lydia; brother, James Derise and wife Melissa of Lydia; sisters, Lana Thibodeaux and husband Ricky of Lydia, Ginger Guidroz and husband Laney of Lydia, Jan Derise and husband Dwayne of Lydia; brother-in-laws, Randy Thibodeaux and wife Donna of Lydia, Rusty Thibodeaux and wife Anne of Lydia, Richard Thibodeaux and wife Lorie of Lydia; godchild, Brady Derise of Lydia; bestfriend, Dwayne Eskind of Lydia. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by grandparents, Hypolite and Mary Ewing Derise, Arthur LaJaunie, Aline Duroche; godmother, Durabelle Landry; godfather, Roland Derise; father-in-law, Russel Thibodeaux, Sr.; and a sister-in-law, Pauline Derise. Pallbearers will be Dwayne Eskind, Ross Derise, Randy Thibodeaux, Rusty Thibodeaux, Brady Derise, and Richard Thibodeaux. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Karen Roden and the staff of Louisiana Oncology Associates, and Hospice of Acadiana, especially his nurse, Seth Porche. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, Texas 75284, or the Guillian-Barre' Syndrome Foundation, The Holly Building, 104 1/2 Forrest Drive, Narberth, PA 19072. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331 is in charge of arrangements.