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Percy Degravelles Obituary

DEGRAVELLES JR., PERCY J. "PETE" Memorial service will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, 419 Doucet Road, Lafayette, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 12, for Percy J. "Pete" deGravelles Jr. He passed away Saturday, July 8, 2006, at Lafayette General Regional Medical Center. Inurnment will be in the Fountain Memorial Mausoleum. The Rev. Robi Robicheaux, pastor of St. Mary Church, will conduct the service. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Jane Roane deGravelles of Lafayette; daughters, Roane Risher and her husband, Greg, of Houma, Judith Boutte and her husband, R.J., of Lafayette, Carol Williams and her husband, Rick, of Kernersville, N.C., Renee DeMoss and her husband, Mark, of Greenville, S.C., and Diane Trull and her husband, Steve, of Greensboro, N.C. Surviving also are his brother, Bob deGravel of Sacramento, Calif.; sisters, Abbie McNulty, Charlotte LeBlanc and Renee Stirling, all of Franklin, and Jeannette Piette of Appleton, Wis.; grandchildren, Steven Risher, David Risher, Katherine Boutte, Scott Boutte, Jane Williams, Parker Williams and Garic Williams; and great-grandchildren, Allison Risher and Megan Risher. Mr. deGravelles was preceded in death by his parents, Percy J. deGravelles Sr. and Abbie Marin deGravelles; and two sisters, Marin Piette and Mary Moreau. Mr. deGravelles was born Dec. 17, 1928, in Franklin, into one of the most recognized sugar families in Louisiana. He joined his father in a farming partnership that eventually was incorporated as Teche Planting. During this time, Mr. deGravelles was active in the St. Mary Parish Farm Bureau and was on the board of directors of St. Mary Sugar Co-op. In 1976, he was chosen King Sucrose XXXV of the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival, and in 1979, Progressive Farmer Magazine selected him as Man of the Year in Service to Louisiana Agriculture. In 1993, Mr. deGravelles received the coveted Sugar Man of the Year Award in 1992 from the Dwyer Memorial. Mr. deGravelles was more than just a sugar-cane farmer; he was active in the American Sugar Cane League, chairing many committees during his tenure as a member of the board of directors. In 1977, he was elected the 29th president of the American Sugar Cane League and from 1988 to 1993, he served as general manager of the league. In 1976, he served as president of the Louisiana division of the American Society of Sugar Technologists. He was selected to serve as chairman of the National Legislative Committee. He also was a distinguished leader for the sugar industry in Washington, D.C., for many years. In 2006, for his outstanding and dedicated service to the Louisiana sugar industry, Mr. deGravelles received the President's Award from the American Sugar Cane League. In addition, Mr. deGravelles served as director of the First Commercial Bank of Franklin, which is now Capital One Bank, on the advisory council with the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta and as a member of the Business Advisory Council to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. He was active in strengthening support for LSU and organizing and serving as the first president of the LSU Parents Club. He also organized and served as chairman of the task force that created the LSU Agricultural Leadership Program. Upon his retirement, Mr. deGravelles and his wife relocated to Lafayette, where once again his knowledge, leadership and compassion guided him to serve their new community. He served on the board of directors of the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, International Trade Development Group of LeCentre International DeLafayette, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Foundation Board, board of trustees of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, The Shadows on the Teche and the Acadiana Arts Council Board. He was also active in the American Diabetes Association. He served as a board member of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, serving as chairman of the board in 2000. The family has requested that visiting hours be observed at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home chapel, Lafayette, on Tuesday, July 11, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. A wake service will be conducted at the funeral home chapel at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 11. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Columbia University Medical Center for Alzheimer's research. Checks may be made payable to Columbia University and mailed to Taub Institute for Alzheimer's Research at Columbia University, Physicians and Surgeons Box 16, 630 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032 or St. Mary Catholic Church, 419 Doucet Road, Lafayette, LA 70503. Arrangements by Fountain Memorial Funeral Home, 1010 Pandora St., at Winchester St., off of Congress and Pandora streets, behind Adrien's Supermarket.

Published by The Advocate from Jul. 10 to Jul. 11, 2006.
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Memories and Condolences
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To JANE & Family Pete & I were classmates at Hanson memorial and also at LSU so we go back a few years. Needless to say that the announcement was totally unexpected. We send our love and sympathy. Curtis and Ann Lancon

Curtis Lancon

July 11, 2006

My prayers are with all of you, my wonderful extended family, at this time of sorrow. Uncle Pete was an outstanding man and will be greatly missed by us all. I love you (y'all).

Abbie Nordholm

July 11, 2006

Our warmest regards and love.

Matthew Piette

July 10, 2006

Dominique Piette

July 10, 2006

I am proud to be in the same family as such a great man. We will miss you dearly.

Tommy McNulty

July 10, 2006

I will always remember Mark's Uncle Pete as the warmest, most caring man I have ever met. It was an honor to know him, and I will miss him. My deepest sympathies are with all of you, his family.

Becky Piette

July 10, 2006

We send our love.

MarieJeanne and Dad (Bob), Scott, and Autumn

July 10, 2006

Rest in Peace, Uncle Pete.

Claire LeBlanc Vath

July 10, 2006

Alaric Piette

July 10, 2006

My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.

Cynda Wentworth

July 10, 2006

An old friend, an outstanding leader, a great friend of LSU and the Agricultural community. I liked him a lot. My sympathy to the family.

Fred C. Dent, Jr.

July 10, 2006

Jane,



Cacky and Cliff and I send our deepest sympathy to you and yours. Pete was a great guy, wasn't he! Thanks so much for extending yourselves in neighborly friendship those years I lived in Franklin. We had many fun times getting together for supper and listening to Miss Abbie's great stories after Pete's LONG graces. My regards and prayers are with you, your children and grandchildren, and, of course, Charlie, Abbie, and Renée as well. I hope to see you Wednesday.

Cliff LeBlanc

July 10, 2006

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