Terrel Dressel, Sr.

Loreauville - A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Loreauville on Monday, May, 20, at 1 PM for Terrel Patrick Dressel, age 80, who died on May, 16, 2019. Interment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Mausoleum in Loreauville, with Military Honors by the Iberia Parish Honor Guard. Visitation will be held at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia on Sunday, May 19, 2019 from 1 PM to 9 PM. A Rosary, led by the Men’s Rosary Group, will be recited at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Monday, May 20, at 8 AM until 12:15 PM. Terrel was born on September 13, 1938. Terrel grew up in Loreauville on the family farm - feeding pigs and chickens and milking cows as part of his daily chores. He graduated from Loreauville High School and immediately enrolled in the US Army. He spent some of his military time in Germany and was especially proud of his service to his country. He later enrolled in the Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now ULL) and graduated with a degree in accounting. He earned his CPA certification and worked his entire career in public accounting in his own firm with his partner, Ralph Friend, and key long-term employees, Annette Lopez, Shannon LeBlanc, and Marcia Guest. The firm later merged with Broussard Poche, and he continued to work on a part-time basis until recently. He had a very loyal client base and was widely recognized as a trusted advisor. Terrel had a strong belief in God and his Catholic faith. He prayed the rosary on a daily basis for many years while walking up and down his driveway in the early hours of the morning. He served with his wife as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister and was a key member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic church parish council for many years. He and Juliette were co-chairpersons for the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church bazaar for 30+ years. Terrel also devoted a significant part of his life to improving the local community. He was a member of the New Iberia Jaycees, Cajun Kiwanis, Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and the Iberia Crippled Children Association. He also played a key role during the annual Chamber Gumbo Cook-off events for 21 years and served on the Iberia Parish School Board for nearly 10 years. He was known for his collaborative ability to organize and execute events and to ensure full accountability. Terrel was always one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave, making sure all the critical tasks were completed. Terrel was one of the original organizers of the Loreauville Little League and served as President and coach during the start-up years. He participated in many local American Cancer Society Relays for Life and was a loyal blood donor, donating over 11 gallons of blood during his lifetime. He always felt obligated to give blood as frequently as he was allowed in order to help others. His service to his community was recognized in many ways over the years including being selected as the Iberia Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Civic Service Recipient and as the Outstanding Citizen by the Woodmen of the World. He also was chosen to reign as the King of the Krewe of Andalusia in 2013. He and his wife really enjoyed dancing together, traveling across the USA in their RV, spending time with their Cruisin’ Cajun and Pelicaneer RV friends, playing Mexican train with his children and grandchildren, and drinking and dining with “The Margarita Gang”. He also enjoyed photography and working on Juliette’s “honey do” lists. Many people have described Terrel as a calm, kind, and humble man with a firm handshake and strong commitment to his core values. He lived his life with a high degree of integrity and always wanted to make a positive contribution. Terrel and Juliette’s favorite song was “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world”. They adopted it as a lifelong motto after the death of their daughter, Leslie, to remember the good and bad experiences they shared during their lifetime. He fought a courageous battle against cancer for over 12 years and put his faith in God at every stage, often saying that he was “so blessed” even as his health declined. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Juliette Ransonet Dressel, a son, Terry Dressel (Shari) of Broussard, two daughters, Denise Faulk (Dexter) of Maurice, and Yvette Jones (Stephen) of League City, Texas. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Kristyn Dressel, Kalynn Dressel, Kathryn Dressel, Amanda Istre (Jacob), Andre Faulk, Colin Faulk, Tyler Castille (Keyla), Joshua Castille, Ethan Jones, and Elise Hebert, and 2 great grandchildren, Noah Istre and Zoe Castille, and one brother Alton (Greta) Dressel. He was preceded in death by his daughter Leslie Dressel, his parents Otto and Eunice Dressel, and brothers Russel Dressel and Gerald Dressel. Serving as pallbearers will be Josh Castille, Ethan Jones, Andre Faulk, Colin Faulk, Dexter Faulk and Stephen Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be Jacob Istre, Kavin Dressel, Alton Dressel, Jimmy Clifton, Buddy Ransonet, Andrew “Toupee” Bonin, and Ralph Friend. Servicing as lectors will be his oldest grandchildren, Kristyn Dressel and Tyler Castille. Serving as gift bearers will be Kalynn Dressel, Kathryn Dressel, and Amanda Istre, Keyla Castille and Megan Glahn. Serving as eucharistic ministers will be Margaret “Peanut” Bonin, Brad Clifton, and Louella Ransonet. A eulogy will be read by Bill Quinlan. The family would like to thank Dr. Luis Fayad, special nurse Amira Pugh, and the entire staff at MD Anderson for the special care given to him. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made to MD Anderson Center or Wounded Warrior Project. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA 70560, (337-365-3331), is in charge of the arrangements.