Vincent David Darby

Arnaudville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:00 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church in Arnaudville, Louisiana for Vincent David Darby, 81, who passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at his residence. The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm on Thursday. A rosary will be prayed at 11:00 am on Thursday. Rev. Keenan Brown will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Readers will be Brandi Darby and Alexis Robin. Gift bearers will be Brittany and April Darby. Interment will follow at St. John Francis Regis Cemetery in Arnaudville. Vincent was a native and lifelong resident of Arnaudville, Louisiana, one of six children born to the late Henry and Louise Schexnayder Darby. His passion for the artistry of painting began at an early age while he was in grammar school. A self-taught artist, Vincent would paint for his teachers and friends. Although painting was his hobby at the time, Vincent was employed as a Game Warden with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, retiring in 1985 after 25 years of dedicated service. He enjoyed his job with the department and being a part of Operation Game Thief. Upon his retirement, Vincent was then able to devote all his time to his art - his first true passion. Vincent was widely known by the scenes he painted from visions he witnessed as a child growing up in Arnaudville, to the peace and tranquility of the Atchafalaya Basin and the bayous lined with moss draped oaks, cypress trees, pirogues, stately herons, prancing deer, old camps and shacks. By merely placing a simple brush stroke against a plain white canvas, Vincents talent was such that he could depict a story of days-gone-bye, bringing life to our own fondest memories. His attention to the finest details would draw you into the beauty and artistry of his work. Vincent possessed a unique talent to see the beauty of South Louisiana and transpose it on canvas in his own special and unique way. Having had no formal training in the arts, Vincent was considered among Louisiana's best natural artists. His skills in perspective, fusion of colors, and representational drawing were that of which very few artists could claim. Today Darby's paintings and murals adorn businesses, restaurants, and many homes, with clients as far away as California to New York. He even had the privilege of having one of his swamp scene reproductions on canvas to be used in a Dukes of Hazzard movie. As best-summarized of his work, from his website, Vincent's wildlife paintings of Cajun swamp scenery and rural settings have a magical quality that distinguish his work from that of other artists. His God-given talent, combined with a lifetime of memories from the great outdoors, captures the very essence and beauty of Mother Nature.". He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends, but his memory will continue to live through the works of art he ever so skillfully created for everyone to enjoy. He is survived by his loving and devoted spouse, Rose Broussard of Arnaudville; three sons, Clyde Darby, John Darby, and Michael Darby and wife, Judy, all of Arnaudville; his daughter, Louise "Tina" Darby Robin and husband, Steve, of Arnaudville; stepsons, Michael Broussard and wife, Maggie, of Carencro, Kevin Broussard and wife, Chrysta, of Lafayette, and William Broussard and wife, Karen, of Abita Springs; sisters, Joanne Darby Moreau of Opelousas, Cecile Darby Schexnider of Lafayette, and Roberta Darby LeBlanc and husband, Charles, of Lafayette; his grandchildren, Brandi Darby, Dane Darby, Ashley Darby Marks, Brittany Darby, Andre Darby, Layne Darby, Aaron Darby, Jenna Darby, April Darby, Alexis Robin, Angelle Robin, and Alec Robin; step grandchildren, Billy Broussard, Andy Broussard, and Dakota Broussard; and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Jimmy and Robert Darby. Pallbearers will be Layne Darby, Devin Bijeaux, Dane Darby, Andre Darby, Alec Robin, Aaron Darby, and William Stelly. Honorary pallbearers will be Kayne Darby, Zayne Darby, and Landon Domingue. Pellerin Funeral Home of Arnaudville, 314 St. Landry St., Arnaudville, LA 70512, (337-754-5881) is in charge of arrangements.