Rhett Michael Flash

Published 1:00 am Monday, September 10, 2018

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Iberia for Rhett Michael Flash, 27, who passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 6, 2018, in New Iberia. 

Entombment will be in Holy Family Cemetery.

Rev. Mark Miley will be the Celebrant and Deacon Robert Klingman will be assisting.

A gathering of family and friends will be Tuesday from 4 pm until 9 pm at Pellerin Funeral Home. 

A rosary, led by the Men’s Rosary Group, will be prayed at 7 pm Tuesday. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 8 am until 12 noon.

Rhett was born an angel on November 21, 1990 and brought joy to the world for the next 27 years. He warmed the hearts of those who knew him and was the light of his parent’s lives. Rhett was strong-willed yet gentle, and independent in his own way. When he smiled, it was accompanied with a distinct twinkle in his eyes. Happy would be the one word that would describe him best. 

Though Rhett never found his voice, he taught more love, humility, patience, and compassion to those around him than the finest orator ever could. 

Rhett loved spending time at home with his parents to the point that it made him giddy, and when the family was on an adventure they called it “Rhettinizing.” He was a lover of classic Disney films, YouTube, iPads, Burger King, and Ritz Bits peanut butter crackers. Rhett loved to be sang to and in the moments when his mind went far away, he could always be brought back with the Happy Birthday song. His hobby was riding in the car with his sidekick pups, Marshall and Milo. Rhett was also known as a notorious cell phone thief, who was known to snatch a phone in a single swipe and crack its passcode in a matter of seconds. His codename was: Rhett-man.

Rhett is survived by his loving parents, Michael and Allison Richard Flash of New Iberia, LA; grandparents, Gene Flash of Lydia, Irene Broussard Richard of Loreauville; uncle, Curtis “Booby” Flash and wife Teresa of New Iberia; aunts, Lynn Deckard and husband Rocko of New Iberia, Katie Flash and partner John Cousins of New Orleans, Mary R. Lopez of Baton Rouge, Gwen R. Horton and husband Wayne of New Iberia, Janet R. Prioux and husband Ronald of New Iberia, Ann R. Pommier and husband Gil of New Iberia, Dawn R. Romero and husband Tim of New Iberia, and Nicole R. Fortmayer and husband Greg of Marrero.

Rhett was preceded in death by his grandmother, Dixie Ray Flash; an uncle, Pete J. Lopez, Jr. and was escorted to the Lord’s kingdom by his grandfather, Howard P. Richard.

Pallbearers will be Alec Armentor, Ian Broussard, Hayden Dartez, Jakob Deckard, Curtis Flash and Zachary Romero. Honorary pallbearers will be all aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Readers will be Katie Flash and Gwen Horton. Gift bearers will be Kimberly Doumit and Dawn Romero.

Michael and Allison want to give a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Robert F. Hankenhof, 

Dr. Ellen S. Mullen, Jeanne Lopez with Compassion Community Services, Tiffany Snidarich with Cadence and all of the educators, aides, caretakers, and advocates who worked vigorously to improve Rhett’s quality of life. 

Special acknowledgement goes to Debra Michaels, Rhett’s caretaker for the last three years, who shared unconditional love and friendship with the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rhett’s memory to the following organizations: United Way of Iberia, Angel Paws of Iberia, and SLCC Foundation of Lafayette.

To view on-line obituary, sign guest book, and view video tribute, please go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com

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