Donald A. Poche

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 23, 2024

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, for Donald A. Poche, 86, who passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at his residence.

Entombment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery.

Rev. William Blanda will be the celebrant.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday at Pellerin Funeral Home and will continue from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Saturday. A Rosary, led by the Men’s Rosary Group, will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.

A longtime resident of New Iberia, Donald was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on May 9, 1937, to the late Antoine “Buster” and Annette Hebert Poche. He was a 1955 graduate of St. Peter’s College and proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy. Donald retired from Iberia Savings and Loan and Iberia Bank after 40 years of service.

Donald was a spiritual man and a devout Catholic. He was an active member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church and a supporter of Mt. Carmel Academy and worked very hard to give his daughters a Catholic education. He loved all sports and was a lifelong LSU and New Orleans Saints fan. Donald also enjoyed playing basketball, playing cards and going to the casino.

Donald loved to spend time with his family and friends laughing and always had a smile on his face. He was a loving and caring person, devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, who always put others needs before his own. Donald was a spiritual man. He always loved having his first cup of coffee in bed, while watching the news, before getting his day started. He will be deeply missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

Survivors include his daughters Annette Poche Pharr (Charlie Sr.), Simonne Poche and Patrice Poche Fletcher; grandchildren Charlie Pharr Jr. (Teles), Jennifer Douet (Tony), Lance Breaux, Lindsey Olivier (Kent), Brandon Richardson (Jena), Brock Richardson and Camille Fletcher; great-grandchildren Thomas Pharr, Miller Pharr, River Pharr, Saint Pharr, Bentley Douet, Liam Douet, Forest Richardson, Wren Richardson, Nash LaBauve, Braxton Richardson, Kenley Olivier and Chloe Breaux; stepsisters Carolyn Doerr (Greg) and Linda Kay Poche Prioux.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Marjorie “Margie” Pellerin Poche; daughter Denise Poche Breaux; grandson Bradley Richardson; great-grandson Lincoln Pharr; and a nephew Kevin Elmer.

Pallbearers will be Charlie Pharr Jr., Lance Breaux, Brandson Richardson, Brock Richardson, Charlie Pharr Sr. and Tony Douet.

Honorary pallbearers include Darryl Pellerin, Willie Elmer, Melvin “Boo” Derouen, Kent Olivier, C. Brent Fletcher, Aaron Breaux, and Barry Richardson.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. James Falterman, Nicole and Lanice; Hospice of Acadiana; and to his sitters Trudy, Lorraine Lockhart and her staff, Donna and Betty.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic High School, 1301 DeLaSalle Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560, or to the Community Foundation of Acadiana, Denise P. Breaux Memorial, 1035 Camellia Blvd, Suite 100, Lafayette, LA 70508 (https://cfacadiana.org).

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace, New Iberia, LA 70560, 337-365-3331, is in charge of the arrangements.